PSpice-based modeling of pulsed corona reactor-generator system

Summary form only given. An engineering model for electrical simulation of coaxial reactor-pulse generator system accounting for salient features of pulsed corona discharge has been developed. The following assumptions lay the basis for the model. 1). The problem is one-dimensional. All variables are time- and radius-dependent. 2). The ionization processes start at the central electrode when the field strength exceeds certain threshold. 3). The discharge gap before the streamers have crossed it divides into two parts. The first one is the space between the inner electrode and the expanding streamer front (referred to as the "streamer part"). Between the streamer front and the outer cylinder is the second part, referred to as the "capacitive part". 4). The "streamer part" is simulated as a conducting area. 5). The streamers propagate to the outer electrode with velocity v that depends on the average field and polarity. 6). The current through the "capacitive" part of the gap is the displacement current. Various power circuits of inductive and capacitive pulsers coupled to coaxial reactors were modeled on the PSpice platform using its Analog Behavioral Modeling capabilities. Typical timing diagrams and volt-ampere characteristics are presented. The model yields realistic values and behavior of current, voltage, power and energy. that are in fair agreement with experimental data. For instance, the peak voltage is greater, and the peak current is lower on negative polarity, which is explained by lower streamer velocity, the only parameter changed in the simulation. Most interesting albeit disturbing result of the simulation is that a relatively small energy share is coupled to the "streamer part" of the gap. More is wasted in dissipative and reactive components of the circuit. Ways of the system optimization to increase the energy share of the "streamer part" are discussed.