Numerical Simulation of the Trichel-Pulse in SF6 at Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

The dynamics of the Trichel current pulses in a dc negative corona in SF6 at atmospheric pressure in a coaxial electrode configuration has been simulated using a self-consistent 1-D model. The aim of this paper was to clarify the role of the plasma charged particles on the ignition and development of the corona Trichel current pulses during the rise time of the applied voltage. The results showed that, during this time, the corona current consists of three sequential pulses with different amplitudes and the first pulse amplitude is larger than the others. It is found that, during the time of the first current pulse, the accumulation of the positive ions near the negative electrode has a main influence on the behavior of the radial electric field distribution and hence on the slow motion of the negative ions toward the ground electrode. This slow motion of the negative ions could play the key role on the next current pulse appearing.