Effect of Moving Speed of Charged Metallic Spherical Electrode on Electrostatic Discharge

In this investigation, the nature of the electrostatic discharge (ESD) that occurs when a charged object moves toward a stationary grounded object is experimentally clarified. The spark lengths, discharge currents, and induced voltages in a magnetic probe were measured when a charged metallic spherical electrode connected to a 422 pF capacitor approached a stationary grounded object, which was the current target, for different moving speeds of the charged metallic spherical electrode in a range of 1 mm/s to 100 mm/s. The charge voltages of the capacitor were +6.5 kV and +10 kV. Based on the results, the average gap length shortened with the speed of the spherical electrode. The average peak values of the discharge current and the induced voltage were likely to increase with the speed of the spherical electrode. The average rise times of the discharge current and the induced voltage were likely to drop with the speed of the spherical electrode. The relation between the spark length and the discharge current due to the ESD can be explained qualitatively by using an equation derived from the spark resistance formula proposed by Rompe and Weizel.     

Discharge occurring at a grounded electrode located in a charged particle cloud

Electrical discharge phenomena from a grounded electrode located in a charged particle cloud have been investigated. Soil conditioning particles charged by corona charging were blown to form a space charge cloud. A grounded sphere electrode was placed at the center of the charged cloud to produce an electrical discharge. A positive pulse discharge extended from the sphere electrode toward the charged cloud with a strong luminescence. A brushlike streamer with a maximum length of 170 mm appeared at an interval of 30 ms. The maximum pulse height of the discharge was 2.4 A. The distribution of the electric field around the sphere electrode was obtained from field analysis using a concentric spherical model. It was found that the magnitude of the discharge depends on the radius of the grounded electrode and the size and charge density of the clouds. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 136(4): 7–14, 2001     

Observation of propagating brush discharge on insulating film with grounded antistatic materials

A propagating brush discharge (PBD) usually occurs on a highly charged thin film with a grounded metal backing plate and often becomes energetic enough to ignite a flammable gas/vapor and even a dust cloud. In an actual situation, a PBD is seen on the surface of a large-sized flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) during its filling and/or emptying processes in an industrial site when the fabric of the FIBC is highly insulating. Anticipating that a PBD could occur even on an antistatic FIBC if it were used with an insulating inner bag, various types of antistatic fabrics for FIBCs in contact with an insulating polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet were put to the test. An antistatic fabric was grounded, and the PET sheet on the fabric was charged with a corona charger. A PBD was then generated by approaching a grounded spherical electrode. The discharge patterns were observed, and the currents and charge amounts were measured. A thin metallic fiber woven on an insulating fabric was found to drastically enhance the transferring of charge during a PBD, probably because of the corona discharges emanating from the metallic fiber. The resistivity of the fabric also affected the charge transference. The incendiary nature of each mode of PBD was discussed.     

Modeling of DC corona discharge along an electrically conductiveflat plate with gas flow

The development of a corona discharge was evaluated numerically over a finite region of a semi-infinite flat plate having small (ohmic) surface conductivity with flowing gas. The model simulates a positive ion corona discharge (ionic wind) in the direction of gas flow generated by two parallel wires mounted flush with the surface of the plate. The deposition and removal of ions at the surface are permitted. Five coupled partial differential equations govern the gas phase model together with empirical equations for electrical discharge (Φ-I characteristic). Two voltage bias case studies were considered: first, the two electrodes have the same potential but are of opposite sign; and second, the positive electrode carries the full potential with the remaining electrode grounded. Several interesting effects are noted relating to the voltage and current distribution, surface potential, and free-stream velocity. Boundary layer development and surface shear are also discussed     

纳秒脉冲表面放电等离子体影响因素的实验研究

在大气环境条件下,以环氧为介质阻挡材料,基于单极性ns脉冲电源进行了表面介质阻挡放电实验,研究了电压幅值、电极宽度、电极间距和重复频率对放电等离子体的影响。结果表明ns脉冲表面介质阻挡放电是丝状放电,放电发生在电压脉冲的上升沿阶段;放电电流主要包括两部分脉冲,与放电丝分布的均匀性有着一定的内在关系,外加电压对放电的均匀性以及产生等离子体的长度起作用;电极宽度和间距对放电电流和产生等离子体的发光强度影响不大,电极宽度和间距越小,放电丝分布越均匀,电极宽度存在一个最优值,使得激励器的放电稳定且产生等离子体相对均匀;脉冲重复频率仅对等离子体强度起作用,对放电特性的影响较复杂,不同电极参数下这些影响与放电丝的分布状态有关。     

Fast electrostatic discharges between a charged thin dielectricfilm and a spherical electrode with or without dielectric coating

Short-gap (less than 1 mm) electrostatic discharge (ESD) between a charged thin dielectric film on an earthed-plate electrode and a spherical electrode, connected to the plate, with or without an uncharged thin dielectric film coating was observed. Discharge-current waveform, discharge gap length, current rise time, discharging photograph, and current peak value were recorded by the authors' measuring system. The initial charge supply effects by irradiation of β-ray or ultraviolet light were found to be not highly apparent; that is, the reproducibility of ESD experiments was not greatly improved. Surface-charge-polarity dependence of surface ESD between charged and uncharged dielectric films decreases with increase of the film thickness. The discharge gap length of ESD with a 1.5 μm uncharged film coating on the spherical electrode decrease to 50 or 70% compared with that between a charged film and a bare spherical metal electrode. Peak current and transferred charge value of ESD also decrease to roughly one-third of that between the film and the spherical electrode     

Effect of Extension Length in a Surface Barrier Discharge on the Driving Force of Electrohydrodynamic Gas Flow

A surface barrier discharge generated between an exposed and a buried electrode induces a unidirectional gas flow, known as an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) gas flow. The discharge behavior and flow characteristics have been investigated. When the exposed electrode is an anode, several streamers propagate above the buried electrode, whereas when the exposed electrode is a cathode, weak light emission is uniformly observed above the buried electrode. The maximum discharge length increases as both the length of the buried electrode and the amplitude of the applied voltage increase. Independent of the buried electrode length, the velocity of the EHD flow increases monotonically as the discharge extends farther, and is uniquely determined by the maximum discharge length.     

A new type of ozone generator using Taylor cones on water surfaces

Ozone has been found to be effective in many forms of water treatment. As concerns about the safety of alternate methods of water treatment increase (in particular, chlorination), ozone, which is already extensively used in Europe, offers an effective option. This paper describes a new method of ozone generation particularly suited for use in water purification. Most current industrial ozone production is based on “silent” electrical discharges in a gap between concentric electrodes separated by a glass or ceramic dielectric barrier. The authors present experimental results obtained using a parallel-plate discharge geometry. The lower electrode consists of a grounded “pool” of still water separated by a discharge gap from an upper insulated planar electrode. When the electrode is energized by an AC high voltage, a multitude of “Taylor cones” forms on the water surface. The Taylor cones form and collapse randomly and continuously, depending on the electric field. The tips of the cones provide points for electrical discharge pulses which initiate ozone generation. This method generates ozone in close proximity to the water surface. Laboratory experiments show efficiencies for gaseous ozone production as high as 110 g/kWh     

Charging and discharging of insulating particles on the surface of a grounded electrode

The aim of the present paper is to analyze the corona charging of millimeter-size insulating disks, as well as their discharging when they are no longer exposed to the action of an external electric field. The experiments were carried out on a roll-type electrostatic laboratory separator, equipped with a wire-type corona electrode, simulating the actual charging/discharging conditions in an industrial unit. Disks of various sizes were charged on the surface of the roll electrode, then the high voltage supplied to the corona electrode was turned off and the particles were collected in a Faraday pail, connected to an electrometer. The charge measurements were performed at various time intervals from high-voltage turn-off. In this way, the charge decay could be recorded and the discharge process fully characterized. The measured data show that the discharge process depends on the nature, size, and shape of the particles, as well as on the contact conditions between the particles and the grounded roll electrode. These data could guide the design of the electrostatic separation experiments that precede any new industrial application of this technology.     

Formation of a negative impulse discharge induced by an XeCl excimer laser in a long rod‐to‐rod electrode gap in air

Negative discharge induction experiments were performed with a rod‐to‐rod electrode configuration having a gap length of 0.8 m using a high‐power XeCl excimer laser of maximum output energy of 2 J/pulse and an impulse generator of maximum voltage of 1.2 MV. Development of a leader in the laser‐ionized plasma channel was observed by using an image converter camera. When an XeCl excimer laser is applied at a carefully controlled instant, the guiding effect for an impulse discharge is optimized. Three main results were obtained. First, the discharge started near the focal point and then developed bidirectionally toward the high‐voltage electrode and the grounded electrode. Midgap leaders were frequently observed. Second, it was observed that the lifetime of the laser‐ionized plasma channel was about 1 μs. Third, the discharge processes were classified into six stages. The mechanism of the streamer and leader propagation is discussed. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 134(2): 11–18, 2001     

Charge-Decay Characteristics of Granular Materials Forming Monolayers at the Surface of Grounded Electrodes

Laboratory studies and in-field observations have shown that the charge-decay characteristics of the granular materials at the surface of the grounded roll electrode significantly influence the outcome of the electrostatic separation process. This paper validates an indirect method of charge-decay characterization, based on the measurement of the electrical potential at the surface of a monolayer of granular insulating material. The study was performed on three materials–-polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and rubber–-extracted from chopped electric wire wastes. The granules (characteristic size in the range 1–4 mm) were disposed on the surface of a grounded plate electrode (layer area: 100 mm $ times$ 100 mm; electrode area: 200 mm $ times$ 200 mm). A wire-type corona electrode, energized from a dc high-voltage supply, was employed for charging the granules. The potential due to the charge at the surface of the granular layer was measured with the capacitive probe of an electrostatic voltmeter connected to a personal computer. Data acquisition and processing were done using the LabView environment. The influence of particles characteristics and of ambient factors was studied. The findings enabled a more accurate modeling of discharging phenomena that affect the performances of electrostatic separators. The method can be easily adopted in electrostatic discharge studies for material characterization.      

Aqueous Phenol Decomposition by Pulsed Discharges on the Water Surface

Decomposition of environmental contaminants such as phenol contained in water was investigated using a pulsed high-voltage gas-phase discharge on the water surface (water surface plasma). The discharge consists of streamer channels that spread out over the water surface. Discharge characteristics were dependent upon the distance between the needle-tip electrode and the water surface, the shape of the submerged ground electrode, and the composition of the gas enveloping the electrode. When the electrode–water distance was decreased, the discharge mode changed from corona to streamer, and then, finally, to a water surface discharge when the distance was small. Argon gas was the most effective enveloping gas for decomposing phenol in water (compared to oxygen or air). When the gas flow rate was increased to carry away the active species formed in the gas phase; the decomposition rate did not change in argon, but decreased in oxygen. The shape of the submerged ground electrode influenced the discharge state and the phenol decomposition rate. A ring-shaped ground electrode was more effective for decomposition of phenol than straight or semicircular shapes. Experiments were performed to identify the mechanism(s) responsible for the decomposition of organic materials in water.      

热处理对贮氢合金电极性能的影响

研究了热处理对Mm(Ni,Co,Mn,Al)5贮氢合金电极电化学性能的影响.恒流充放电测试结果表明:经过热处理的电极比未处理的电极多放出17%的化成容量;用经过热处理的电极制成的MH/Ni电池,以15 C恒流脉冲放电的电压降比使用未处理电极的电池减少了近60 mV.循环伏安实验发现:经过热处理的电极的氢脱出峰电流比未处理的电极的高56 mAh/g,氢脱出峰电位负移了近140 mV.用扫描电镜、X射线衍射研究了热处理对贮氢合金表面和结构的影响.     

Experimental modeling of high-voltage corona discharge using design of experiments

Many studies, both experimental and numerical, were devoted to the electric current of corona discharge and some mathematical models were proposed to express it. As it depends on several parameters, it is difficult to find a theoretical or an experimental formula, which considers all the factors. So we opted for the methodology of experimental designs, also called Tagushi’s methodology, which represents a powerful tool generally employed when the process has many factors to consider. The objective of this paper is to model current using this experimental methodology. The factors considered were geometrical factors (interelectrode interval, surface of the grounded plane electrode, curvature radius of the point electrode), climatic factors (temperature and relative humidity), and applied high voltage. Results of experiments made it possible to obtain mathematical models and to analyse the interactions between all factors.     

The influence of surface charge on lightning impulse breakdown ofspacers in SF6

We have investigated the influence of surface charges on the discharge development across particle contaminated spacer surfaces under SF₆ for lightning impulse (LI) voltages (1.2/50 μs). Surface charges may be generated by dc, ac or lightning impulse stress. The discharge characteristic shows a strong reduction of the insulation strength if the applied voltage and the surface charge have opposite polarities. The investigations were performed with a needle protrusion attached to the bottom electrode to give severe field distortion. The bottom electrode was biased positively. The influence on the discharge process is observed by measuring the surface charge distribution and predischarge currents. The results reveal changes in streamer onset voltage, streamer to leader transition, and leader development     

活性炭孔结构对铅酸电池负极性能的影响

将具有分级孔结构的活性炭材料添加于铅酸电池负极表层制备得到铅炭电极,并通过不同倍率放电以及部分荷电态、高倍率(HRPSo C)循环测试,考察了铅炭电极高倍率放电性能。结果表明铅酸电池负极表层添加活性炭材料对其倍率放电性能具有重要影响。活性炭中的微米级孔隙可以增加HSO4-离子的流通孔道,提高其迁移速率,抑制负极表面硫酸盐化,提高负极高倍率条件下的放电性能。     

直流正极性下冰柱–冰板电极中电晕放电量的分析

为进一步了解覆冰绝缘子表面空气间隙的存在对输电线路的危害，在应用模/数转换器、紫外线成像仪、工控机和自行设计的电流传感器的基础上，研究了在不同施加电压、空气间隙长度、覆冰水电导率和冰类型的情况下电晕平均放电量的变化，并揭示了它们对电晕放电特性的影响。结果表明：直流正极性下的放电量分布满足正态分布，其值随着间隙长度的增加而减小；放电量与电极表面材料有着密切关系；覆冰水电导率对放电量的影响与冰的类型(干冰、湿冰)有很大关系。     

Self Synchronization of Surface Discharges in a Twin Electrodes Device

A twin electrode device coupled to the same high voltage power supply is used to study the propagation of surface streamers. These two identical electrodes are separated from the grounded one by a pyrex plate acting as a dielectric barrier. The gas is dry air, at atmospheric pressure. 1 ns time resolved imaging of the discharge propagation is performed to monitor the discharge ignition and propagation. The discharge consists in filaments which propagate on the dielectric as cathode directed streamers. Each filament transfers 1 nC. The propagation velocities vary from 3.4times10⁷ cm/s at the beginning of the propagation to 7times10⁶ cm/s at the end of the propagation. Ignition at one electrode triggers ignition at the other within 2 ns.     

钴离子注入对镍电极性能的影响

用控制电流暂态技术研究碱性镍电极上Ni(OH)_2/NiOOH电对的电化学反应,讨论了充、放电电流对电极性能的影响.用离子注入技术将钴引入镍电极表面层中以提高其充电效率.所得结果表明;钴的注入直接影响该电极表面气体的析出反应,同时使转化为NiOOH的Ni(OH)_2量有所增加.     

Streamer current in a three-electrode system

A study has been conducted on positive streamer discharges in air at atmospheric conditions for a three-electrode system, The electrode system consisted of two parallel planes (one grounded and one supplied with a negative dc voltage) and a small, insulated needle, sticking out from the center of the grounded plane. A triggering positive square impulse voltage of 5 μs duration was applied to the insulated needle and the currents associated with the streamer discharge were measured simultaneously on all three electrodes. During the streamer propagation, the current measured at the needle was the conduction current while the other two were the displacement (or capacitive) currents generated by the movement of charge in the electrode gap. The objective of this study is to identify the three currents and to investigate if simple representations of the streamer can reproduce the displacement currents measured at the plane electrodes. Two models for the streamer were applied: (1) a charged sphere moving in the background field and (2) a channel with a constant voltage gradient extending in the gap. In both models it was assumed that the streamer propagated with a constant velocity, which was estimated from the measurements. The motion of the streamer was simulated by a series of electrostatic calculations, using a field calculation program. Comparison of the measurements with the simulations indicates that the charge of the streamer is confined to a spherical region (i.e. streamer head) and it is increasing continuously during its advancement in the electrode gap. A discussion on advantages and disadvantages with the two investigated models (sphere vs. channel with potential gradient) is conducted, and a possible hybrid model is suggested. In the proposed model, features from both considered streamer representations are included