Abstract
Previous modelling of switching has been through calculation of reductions in temperature of the arc at "current zero". "Enthalpy density" as a function of temperature is found to be an important property. New calculations now include an account of non-equilibrium electron density as a function of time through current zero and it is found that electron attachment rates, which are very large for SF6, could be a dominant property. Modelling discharges is having other successes, for example in explaining "ball lightning" observations inside of houses and aircraft, which suddenly appear, usually at glass windows. Discharge modelling suggests these observations might be explained by the production of "singlet delta" metastable molecules of oxygen in electrical discharges in air. If metastable densities are sufficient, electrons can be produced from the detachment of negative ions to produce radiation and explain ball lightning. An exciting new development is that plasmas from electric corona in air have been found to reduce the size of cancer tumours. These excited oxygen molecules have also been proposed as having a role in this remarkable interchange between classical electrical engineering and medical science.
Highlights
Of principal importance in the world, is “hardware”, be it from the buildings of cities, power stations, the circuit breakers that control the power stations, or the iPhones that we all use for everyday communications
New calculations include an account of non-equilibrium electron density as a function of time through current zero and it is found that electron attachment rates, which are very large for SF6, could be a dominant property
If metastable densities are sufficient, electrons can be produced from the detachment of negative ions to produce radiation and explain ball lightning
Summary
Of principal importance in the world, is “hardware”, be it from the buildings of cities, power stations, the circuit breakers that control the power stations, or the iPhones that we all use for everyday communications. Through the development of computers, predictions of the original analytic formula from mathematics have been extended to include numerical results giving details, frequently in three dimensions, of arc behaviour, be it interrupted or not, as a function of time. A further product of computer modelling is presented, namely a proposed explanation of the centuries old phenomenon of Ball Lightning This explanation results from the inclusion in the modelling of predictions of an additional particle to the particles that are usually considered, namely electrons, positive ions and negative ions. Such a phenomenon raises the possibility of a completely new field: the interaction of electrical engineering plasmas with biological systems, for example through the interaction with blood and human systems of circulation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
