Back Discharge Research Articles

Partial Discharge Evolution under Half-sine Voltage Excitation

Partial discharges (PD) analysis is the common technique for detection and identification of dielectric defects. Certain PD characteristics can be an early sign of degradation. For further understanding, combined voltages can enhance the analysis of PD characteristics in some specific cases. This paper presents an experimental study on the PD appearance under repetitive negative half-sine voltage excitation, as such a combination of AC and DC voltage. Adopting the time-resolved PD pattern technique, PD signals originated from dielectric barrier corona discharge (DBCD) source are recorded in time domain by a DL750 Scope Corder. Preliminary filtered results indicated the strong relationship between surface charge accumulation and back discharge, a time delay movement of back discharge can be clearly observed on the pattern during ‘relaxation time period’ with various insulation materials.

Polarity effect of PD in oil-pressboard insulation under highly uneven electric field

The polarity effect of the partial discharge (PD) in oil-pressboard (oil-PB) insulation under a highly non-uniform electric field is remarkable. For intensive analysis of the characteristics and mechanisms of this polarity effect, a non-uniform electric field was simulated by a needle-plate model with oil-PB composite insulation. The PD statistical features, PD pattern and PD pulse were studied via pulse current method, the charge distribution was simulated on the basis of hydrodynamic drift-diffusion model and bipolar charge transport model, and the cause of the polarity effect was analysed based on the PD mechanism which is quantificationally explained via a PD circuit model. It was found that the average apparent discharge amplitude and PD repetition rate of the neg-PD are higher; the average equivalent frequency and equivalent time of neg-PD are higher and lower respectively; the pos-PD pulse is unimodal and the neg-PD pulse is oscillating with some secondary discharges at AC voltage or a back discharge at DC voltage; and the neg-PD pulse has a narrower width owning to the fast rising edge and falling edge. The PD current pulse in the coupling loop is essentially caused by the charging process of the streamer-shorted defect. The cause of the polarity effect is that the positive streamer evolves slowly and can puncture the entire oil gap with an energy-concentrated channel, whereas the negative streamer with a diffused channel evolves faster but cannot puncture the entire oil gap.

Streamer characteristics of PEEK surface in nitrogen driven by positive repetitive pulse voltage

In this work, we present a detailed analysis on the observed streamer characteristics of PEEK (polyetheretherketone) surface in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure driven by positive repetitive pulse voltage, including the forward discharge streamer and the back discharge streamer. Fast oscilloscopic technique and digital photographic technique were employed to observe the streamers of surface discharges, and current pulse waveform analysis technique and image analysis technique were used to analyze the characteristics of the observed streamers. The experimental results show that the current pulse of forward discharge streamer has a shorter rise time, a higher current amplitude, a faster current rising rate, a shorter fall time, a faster current falling rate and a smaller charge quantity than those of back discharge streamer at the same voltage amplitude. Besides, the forward discharge streamer has a longer stopping length, a faster propagation velocity and a stronger maximum light intensity than back discharge streamer at the same voltage amplitude. Furthermore, the correlation between the electrical characteristics and optical characteristics of the streamer was analytically derivated, and the current rising rate of the streamer is proportionally correlated to the product of the streamer stopping length and the streamer velocity square.

Volume and surface memory effects on evolution of streamer dynamics along gas/solid interface in high-pressure nitrogen under long-term repetitive nanosecond pulses

Evolution of the surface streamer and the discharge mode transition from the corona discharge to the surface flashover were investigated by pulse sequence resolved electrical and optical measurements under long-term repetitive nanosecond pulses (RNP). The test sample was a cylindrical epoxy resin insulator attached with a needle electrode in 0.1–0.4 MPa nitrogen. Under positive RNP, the inception phase of subsequent streamer discharges decreases with increasing the pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and a periodical streamer stagnation phenomenon appears at high gas pressure. Under negative RNP, the surface streamer does not illustrate symbolic decreasing tendencies in light intensity and corona inception phase in gas gap. The dependence of the evolution of surface streamer velocity on PRF is correlated with the repulsive force from surface charges and the accessibility of seed electrons. Statistical characteristics of back discharges under negative RNP are qualitatively explained by the local electric field around the triple junction. The reversal phenomenon of polarity effect of the allowable repetitive working coefficient is probably resulted from the corona stabilization effect, the surface electron detrapping process, and the assistance of background electric field. Principal results qualitatively support that behaviors of surface streamer and flashover are dominated by the electric field distribution, volume and surface memory effects as well as their interactions and bidirectional transformations, which are different from the monotonically facilitative tendency predicted by the metastable-species-dominated memory effect mechanism.

Prevention of Back Corona Discharge in an Electrostatic Precipitator Using Asymmetrical Rectangular AC Voltage

The aim of this article is to prevent back corona discharge using asymmetrical rectangular ac voltage. The experimental electrostatic precipitator (ESP) consisted of a high-voltage application wire electrode and a grounded plate electrode with a gap in between. Calcium carbonate dust was placed on the surface of the grounded plate electrode. Dc, symmetric, or asymmetric rectangular ac voltage was applied to the wire electrode. The voltage waveform and the current waveform were measured, and a photograph of discharge luminescence on the surface of the dust layer was taken by a digital camera. When dc high voltage was applied, the discharge current increased, and the discharge luminescence was observed on the surface of the dust layer due to back corona discharge. On the other hand, the discharge current did not increase and discharge luminescence was not observed, when the symmetrical ac high voltage at the period of 4 ms was applied. However, the application time of the positive polarity was equal to the negative polarity, and the period was short. Accordingly, it is expected that the collection efficiency is not high in the symmetrically energized ESP. Thus, the effect of an asymmetrical ac energization was investigated. The result showed that the back corona discharge was avoided in the ESP energized by an asymmetrical rectangular ac high voltage with a period of 9 ms including a positive period of 7 ms and negative period of 2 ms.

Proper indwelling catheter use to prevent CAUTIs

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Streamer and surface charge dynamics in non-uniform air gaps with a dielectric barrier

Streamer behaviour near dielectric surfaces is an important characteristic of air-solid electrical insulation systems. Accurate predictions are important for dielectric design, but dynamic aspects such as surface charging during streamer propagation are not well understood. A drift-diffusion model is used here to simulate positive streamer behaviour in non-uniform fields. The 2D-planar simulation domain includes air gaps between a tip of a HV electrode and a dielectric barrier laying on a grounded plane. The resulting surface charge distributions approach saturation charge conditions, i.e. zero normal electric field on the air side of the boundary. Such charging behaviour was also reported in lightning impulse (LI) experiments. The simulations are also aligned with empirical streamer propagation range estimates. It is demonstrated that saturation charge levels are reachable within a few tens of nanoseconds of exposure to positive streamer channels. Ion drift is shown to be the dominating mechanism of surface charging during positive streamer propagation, although photoemission also plays an important role. Discharge suppression by streamer-deposited surface charge is also demonstrated. Furthermore, the influence of back discharges at the LI tail on the surface charge distribution is shown. Simulating realistic streamer surface charging behaviour with arbitrary electrode and dielectric shapes is an important step toward first principles discharge prediction models.

Velocity field of EHD flow during back corona discharge in electrostatic precipitator

Particle Image Velocimetry studies of velocity field of the EHD flow during the back corona discharge at atmospheric pressure in an electrode system comprising a needle discharge electrode at negative potential and a grounded plate collection electrode covered with fly ash layer are presented in this paper. It was found that the magnitude of velocity vector of the EHD flow starting from the crater formed in fly ash layer after the onset of back corona discharge is of the same order of magnitude as for the flow generated by the corona discharge from the needle electrode. The measurements have shown that both these flows do not mix, but deflect each other off the axis of the needle electrode. The conclusion from this research is that the EHD deflection of the trajectories of particles flowing towards the collection electrode by the particles erupted from the crater at the collection electrode probably prevents those particles from the precipitation on the collection electrode that can result in a decreased collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitator during back corona discharge. This new mechanism has been called the “dynamic” process of the collection efficiency reduction.

Surface discharge characteristics and initiation mechanism of PEEK in nitrogen under semi-square voltage

The surface discharge behaviors of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in nitrogen under both positive and negative semi-square voltage were investigated using the current pulse detection method by non-inductive resistor and optical signal detection method by photomultiplier and digital camera. A 50Hz positive or negative semi-square voltage was applied to a rod-plane electrode system, and two types of surface discharge in a voltage cycle were found: one forward discharge and one back discharge. The characteristics and initiation mechanism of the two types of surface discharge were explored. The experimental results showed that surface discharges between cycles were independent. Based on the independence, the time-lag characteristics of surface discharge were obtained. An improvement on Laue-Zuber time-lag theory was made to fit the time-lag characteristics of forward discharge and back discharge. The mean time-lag decreased with the increase of voltage for both forward discharge and back discharge, and the relation between mean time-lag and applied voltage could be modeled by inverse power law. Comparative analysis on the characteristics of back discharge and forward discharge under opposite voltage was performed, and the characteristics of back discharge and forward discharge under opposite voltage were homogenous. In addition, the initiation mechanism of the two types of discharge was discussed. The initiation of forward discharge is believed to be mainly determined by the time-lag and the electric field caused by the applied voltage, while the initiation of back discharge is believed to be mainly determined by the time-lag and the electric field induced by the residual surface charge left by the forward discharge in the same cycle. Verification tests under positive semi-square voltage with different fall time were conducted to validate the initiation mechanism.

Two-stage electrostatic precipitator with co- and counter-flow particle prechargers

Lab-scale, two-stage electrostatic precipitation system comprising of precharging stage, in which PM2.5 particles are electrically charged, and collection stage, in which the charged particles are removed from the flowing gas by electric field, was investigated in this paper. Two types of electrostatic particle prechargers were compared with respect to the collection efficiency of the system: (1) co-flow precharger, in which ionic current was generated co-currently with the gas conveying the particles, and (2) counter-flow precharger, in which ionic current was generated oppositely to the flowing gas. In each case, the electrodes of precharger were supplied with DC or AC high-voltage in order to compare the effect of discharge mode on the collection efficiency of two-stage electrostatic precipitator. The collection stage was formed by two parallel-plate electrodes connected to DC high voltage source. Plate electrodes without discharge points (spikes) are corona-free electrodes, which prevent the collection stage from electrical discharges, and reduce the probability of back discharge ignition. The back discharge decreases collection efficiency of conventional electrostatic precipitators.It was concluded that the co-flow electrode configuration of the precharger, supplied with DC high voltage, has the highest total number collection efficiency for PM2.5 particles, higher than 95% and the mass collection efficiency larger than 99%. The counter-flow precharger provided only about 90% number collection efficiency of two-stage electrostatic precipitator. It was also shown that by AC electrode excitation, the collection efficiency of the system is lower than for DC supply. The two-stage electrostatic precipitators allowed obtaining higher fractional collection efficiency for PM2.5 particles than other conventional systems and can be recommended as highly effective devices for gas cleaning in power plants or cement industry.

Thermal poling of ferroelectrets: How does the gas temperature influence dielectric barrier discharges in cavities?

The influence of the temperature in the gas-filled cavities on the charging process of ferroelectret film systems has been studied in hysteresis measurements. The threshold voltage and the effective polarization of the ferroelectrets were determined as functions of the charging temperature TP. With increasing TP, the threshold voltage for triggering dielectric barrier discharges in ferroelectrets decreases. Thus, increasing the temperature facilitates the charging of ferroelectrets. However, a lower threshold voltage reduces the attainable remanent polarization because back discharges occur at lower charge levels, as soon as the charging voltage is turned off. The results are discussed in view of Paschen's law for electrical breakdown, taking into account the respective gas temperature and a simplified model for ferroelectrets. Our results indicate that the thermal poling scheme widely used for conventional ferroelectrics is also useful for electrically charging ferroelectrets.

Time-resolved electric field measurements during and after the initialization of a kHz plasma jet—from streamers to guided streamers

This work presents the investigation of a 30 kHz operated atmospheric pressure plasma jet impinging a dielectric BSO-crystal, allowing time-resolved electric field measurements based on the Pockels effect. Observations indicate that from the time the voltage is applied, the plasma first develops through unstable branching before a stable periodic behavior is established. This initialization of the plasma jet suggests the importance of the build-up of leftover ionization, which creates a preferred pathway for the streamer-like discharges. After initialization the time and spatially resolved electric field of guided ionization waves induced in the crystal is obtained, showing a highly periodic charging and discharging at the surface of the crystal. When the ionization wave arrives at the crystal charge is deposited and constant electric fields are generated for approximately 14 μs. Then a (back) discharge will remove the deposited charge at the surface, related to the moment when the applied voltage changes polarity and it agrees with imaging reported on in other literature.

Experimental investigation on the characteristics of ash layers in a high-temperature wire–cylinder electrostatic precipitator

Abstract The high-temperature electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a potentially efficient method for hot-gas cleaning in advanced technologies, e.g., the coal-staged conversion poly-generation system and IGCC. This paper investigates the characteristics of the ash layer on the internal surface of the anode pipe of a wire–cylinder ESP at temperatures ranging from 350 °C to 700 °C, including ash deposition forms, growth of ash layer and the effect of ash layer on back corona discharge. There are four typical ash deposition forms: the belt form, the slope with ribs form, the slope form and the slope with a thick bottom edge form. Ash layer thickness generally decreases with increasing height. When T ⩽ 500 °C, ash belts form under low port voltages, and with increasing port voltage, they will overlap each other to form ash ribs. When T ⩾ 500 °C, particles are deposited in the smooth slope form if the port voltage is great enough. When T ⩾ 700 °C, a thick bottom ash edge occurs. Ash deposition forms can vary under different operating conditions. As the operating time increases, the thickness growth rate at a given point decreases, and the ash layer height increases because of the repulsive electrical force between the ash layer and the particles. Back corona discharge always occurs on the thickest portion of the ash layer first. The back corona discharge onset voltage decreases nearly linearly with increasing ash layer thickness, from 19,787 V to 17,197 V as the maximum thickness of the ash layer increases from 0.34 to 2.02 mm when T = 500 °C, U p = 17,200 V and m in = 650 mg/N m 3 .

Light emission spectra of molecules in negative and positive back discharges in nitrogen with carbon dioxide mixture at atmospheric pressure

Results of spectroscopic investigations and current-voltage characteristics of back discharge generated in point-plane electrode geometry with plate covered fly ash layer in a mixture of N2 + CO2 at atmospheric pressure, for positive and negative polarity of the discharge electrode are presented in this paper. Point-plane electrode configuration was chosen in these studies in order to simulate the physical processes occurring in electrostatic precipitator. Three forms of back discharge for both polarities were investigated: glow, streamers and low-current back-arc. Diatomic reactions and dissociation products of N2 and CO2 (OH, NO, CN), atoms from fly ash layer (N, Ti, Na), free radicals, molecules or ions, which have unpaired valence electrons, and other active species, e.g., N2 (in C,B,A-state), N 2 + (B) were identified in the discharges by the method of optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The measurements shown that atomic and molecular optical emission spectral lines from back discharge depend on the forms of discharge and the discharge current. In normal electrical discharges, the emission spectra are dominated by gaseous components, but in the case of back discharge, atomic lines belonging to chemical compounds of fly ash were also recorded and identified.

Development of back corona discharge in a wire-cylinder electrostatic precipitator at high temperatures

High-temperature electrostatic precipitation is a potential method for hot gas clean-up that is hindered by the issue of back corona discharge (BCD). This paper reports on the development of BCD at 350–700°C in a wire-cylinder electrostatic precipitator (ESP). As the output voltage of power supply increases, BCD begins at the surface of the ash layer, and then it extends toward the electrode gap space, forming consecutive discharge channels that bridge the two electrodes, ultimately leading to spark breakdown (SB). The discharge process that follows BCD can be classified into different stages: the NCD & BCD stages, the weak NCD, BCD & glow discharge stage, and the BCD & SB stages. At high temperatures (500°C or above), BCD is likely to convert to SB. In the NCD & BCD stages, the collection efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator is not affected, i.e., the collection efficiency is ~99.65%, regardless of whether BCD exists or not at a temperature of 350°C and a port voltage of ~17,200V. In the BCD & SB stages, the collection efficiency is greatly reduced, i.e., it is ~88.35% in the NCD-only stage at a temperature of 500°C and a port voltage of ~14,000V, whereas it is only ~67.42% in the BCD & SB stages. It should be noted that BCD results in an increase in the power consumption of the ESP for all stages. A physical model is proposed to explain the processes that initiate, maintain, and develop BCD.

Numerical simulation of back discharge: Influence of pinhole geometry on the regime transitions

Abstract This paper presents numerical simulation of back discharge activity that is modelled at a pinhole in a dielectric layer on plane anode. First, for a given pinhole geometry, the transitions between back discharge regimes have been depicted as a mode diagram. Then, we have studied the influence of the dielectric layer thickness on the regime transitions. We have shown that increase in the layer thickness (within range of 0.02–0.2 mm) promotes the back discharge development. Finally, we have studied the influence of ‘crater configuration’. We have shown that ‘crater shape’ favours the back discharge ignition, whereas limits the resulting discharge development.

Characteristics of back corona discharge in a honeycomb catalyst and its application for treatment of volatile organic compounds.

The main technical challenges for the treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with plasma-assisted catalysis in industrial applications are large volume plasma generation under atmospheric pressure, byproduct control, and aerosol collection. To solve these problems, a back corona discharge (BCD) configuration has been designed to evenly generate nonthermal plasma in a honeycomb catalyst. Voltage-current curves, discharge images, and emission spectra have been used to characterize the plasma. Grade particle collection results and flow field visualization in the discharge zones show not only that the particles can be collected efficiently, but also that the pressure drop of the catalyst layer is relatively low. A three-stage plasma-assisted catalysis system, comprising a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) stage, BCD stage, and catalyst stage, was built to evaluate toluene treatment performance by BCD. The ozone analysis results indicate that BCD enhances the ozone decomposition by collecting aerosols and protecting the Ag-Mn-O catalyst downstream from aerosol contamination. The GC and FTIR results show that BCD contributes to toluene removal, especially when the specific energy input is low, and the total removal efficiency reaches almost 100%. Furthermore, this removal results in the emission of fewer byproducts.

Numerical simulation of transitions between back discharge regimes

This paper presents numerical simulations of transitions between back discharge regimes. Back discharge refers to any discharge initiated at or near a dielectric layer covering a passive electrode. In this work, a pinhole in a dielectric layer on a plane anode serves as a model for back discharge activity. We have studied transitions between back discharge regimes by varying the surface charge density on the dielectric layer and the electric field in front of the pinhole. From the variation of these two independent parameters, the back discharge regimes have been depicted as a mode diagram inspired by the experimental study of Masuda and Mizuno. The resulting diagram includes the different discharge regimes that are commonly observed in experiments. The propagation of a positive ionizing wave inside the pinhole toward its edge, and the resulting formation of a plasma zone at its exit constitute the onset stage of back discharge. From this stage, the transitions to volume discharge or surface discharge can occur. The volume discharge regime consists of the propagation of a discharge in space toward the cathode which can be superimposed with the propagation of a discharge above the dielectric layer surface. The diagram reveals the conditions for transitions between back discharge regimes.

Dust Removal Using Electrode-Plates Coated with Activated Carbon

The main purpose of this research work was to evaluate dust removal efficiencies using electrode plates coated with activated carbon in dust removal chamber. The experiments were performed with electrode-plates coated with activated carbon with black carbon and poly vinyl acetate (PVA) as binding agent. Methanol was added into the coating mixture for lowering the viscosity and at the same time helped the activated carbon (AC) pores not to be blocked by PVA. After coating the electrode surface, it was tested to collect dust in cylindrical chamber with and without power supply. In both case, AC coated electrode showed higher dust removal efficiencies compared to conventional aluminum electrode. Continuous test for PM10 dust control revealed that removal efficiency gradually increased with time passage, and as increasing the distance from inlet, the removal efficiency becomes stable. However, where the interval between electrodes was as short as 1cm, and also at the back of the chamber, “back discharge” effect was observed, and resolved easily by the elevation of humidity level. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were controlled successfully with the AC coating material so that it proved both particular and gaseous contaminants can be treated with this AC-coated electrostatic precipitator.*Corresponding author (Kwang Soo Kim): Daehwa-Dong 283, Goyangdae-Ro, Ilsanseo-Gu, Goyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 411-712, Korea / kskim@kict.re.kr / Tel. + 82 31 9100 299 / Fax. +82 31 910 0291

Prebreakdown process of a negative nanosecond pulsed discharge in supercritical carbon dioxide

The prebreakdown process in a 100 µm gap in supercritical carbon dioxide was investigated under negative nanosecond pulsed voltage. A bushlike negative streamer was observed by the shadowgraph method. Although currents flowed in the middle of the rising edge, a back discharge current suddenly appeared at the falling edge when a peak voltage exceeding 28 kV was applied. Electron multiplication was estimated to be approximately 108 by integrated calculation of the back discharge current. These results suggest that a negative streamer grows by steps and the inside of the bush streamer is considered to consist of a high-pressure gas.