Study on the influence that the number of positive ion sources has in the propulsion efficiency of an asymmetric capacitor in nitrogen gas

Abstract

The present work intends to compare the propulsion force developed in an asymmetric capacitor, according to the number of positive ion sources used. The ion source is a corona wire, which generates a positive corona discharge in nitrogen gas directed towards the ground electrode. We are going to apply the known theory of electrohydrodynamics (EHD) and electrostatics in order to compute all hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces that act on the considered geometry in an attempt to provide a physical insight on the force mechanism that acts on each asymmetrical capacitor, and also to compare propulsion efficiencies.