Force measurements in positive unipolar wire-to-plane corona discharges in air

Abstract

Measurements of force generated by a positive unipolar wire-to-plane corona discharge in air are compared with numerical simulations. The generated force does not depend on the ion or electron mobilities, preventing the influence of uncertainty and variation of these parameters. A method is described to simulate the voltage and charge distribution for a wire-to-plane set-up. This method enables the determination of the transition between unipolar and bipolar discharges. In the experimental set-up breakdown electric field of air reduces with increasing discharge current.