A new numerical approach for efficient modeling of positive corona discharge and its associated electric wind

Abstract

Research on corona wind generation has been increasing in recent years because of its potential technological applications, particularly those related to improving heat transfer in small-scale devices. Since numerical simulations play a key role in the design of these applications, computationally efficient modeling of corona discharge is imperative. This work presents a new approach that allows rapid computation of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) force density responsible for the generation of electric wind. Arbitrary electrode configurations can easily be dealt with in the model, since only the Laplacian electric field lines have to be determined numerically. Then, using approximated analytical approximations of the electric field intensity along the field lines, the spatial distribution of the current density and the space charge density can be easily determined. The model has been satisfactorily tested against experimental measurements of the current–voltage characteristic and the current density distribution on the cathode. Furthermore, the electric wind computed from the EHD force agrees quite satisfactorily with measurements carried out in different electrode configurations. Finally, the model has been applied to a new electrode configuration that has greater potential for heat transfer applications.