Numerical Simulation of the Characteristics of Electrons in Bar-plate DC Negative Corona Discharge Based on a Plasma Chemical Model

Abstract

In order to explore the characteristics of electrons in DC negative corona discharge, an improved plasma chemical model is presented for the simulation of bar-plate DC corona discharge in dry air. The model is based on plasma hydrodynamics and chemical models in which 12 species are considered. In addition, the photoionization and secondary electron emission effect are also incorporated within the model as well. Based on this model, electron mean energy distribution (EMED), electron density distribution (EDD), generation and dissipation rates of electron at 6 typical time points during a pulse are discussed emphatically. The obtained results show that, the maximum of electron mean energy (EME) appears in field ionization layer which moves towards the anode as time progresses, and its value decreases gradually. Within a pulse process, the electron density (ED) in cathode sheath almost keeps 0, and the maximum of ED appears in the outer layer of the cathode sheath. Among all reactions, R1 and R2 are regarded as the main process of electron proliferation, and R22 plays a dominant role in the dissipation process of electron. The obtained results will provide valuable insights to the physical mechanism of negative corona discharge in air.