Evolution of streamer groups and radical generation in high-voltage multiple-pulse-induced nonthermal plasma

Abstract

Nonthermal plasmas (NTPs) induced by atmospheric nanosecond multiple-pulse corona discharge have been studied to control pollution generated by combustors, such as boilers, incinerators, and diesel engines. In high-speed short-width high-voltage pulsed corona discharge-induced plasmas, the chemical reactions that occur between multiple pulses and the characteristics of the electron density (denoted by ne) and ozone during the second pulse have not been fully clarified. In this study, we perform quasi-two-dimensional numerical analysis of nonequilibrium NTP induced by a nanosecond positive pulsed corona discharge. The continuum fluid equations for a two-temperature nonequilibrium NTP are used as governing equations. A total of 197 gas phase reactions for 25 chemical species and 21 surface reactions on the inner glass wall surface are considered in an air plasma under atmospheric pressure. We simulate streamer group behavior up to the second pulse and found that ne and the length of streamers change due to chemical reactions between pulses. In addition, we successfully simulated the phenomena of ne reduction and streamer suppression that occur primarily during the second pulse. This is caused by the decrease in potential gradient due to the space and dielectric surface charge build-up. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the ozone formation reaction mainly occurs between pulses. This simulation enables predictions of phenomena in nanosecond positive multiple-pulse plasma systems.