Modeling and simulation of ion transport in dielectric liquids - Fundamentals and review

Abstract

This review paper introduces fundamental knowledge about and presents recent developments in modeling and simulation of ion transport and electrohydrodynamic flow in dielectric liquids. Starting with the formulation of the governing equations, we introduce background ideas as well as the related modeling of ion dissociation, recombination, injection, and discharge, which play key roles in the charge creation and transport problem. Numerical methods and solutions are then presented for the onedimensional problem over the domain between a pair of parallel electrodes. In particular, we show how the electrical properties of a nonpolar liquid, m-xylene, can be derived from the matching of the numerical solutions with Novotny's experimental data. Two asymptotic solution methods, one for the overlap-layer and the other for the thin-layer regimes, are then presented; in particular, we show a remarkably high accuracy for the solutions. The current-voltage relation with ion dissociation and recombination is shown to be completely different from that without them. A historical review of the modeling and simulation of ion transport and electrohydrodynamic flow is finally touched upon.