New insight on filamentary charge‐loaded flows originated by pulsating glow‐type unipolar coronas in atmospheric air

Abstract

The diffusional process involving elastic collisions between charge carriers and neutrals has long been the predominant candidate for post‐injection momentum loss in the far wider drift region outside confined DC corona discharges in gases. A supplementary research paradigm is here put forward for the interest of a greater understanding of corona‐assisted unipolar ion flows in atmospheric air. In this respect, the auto‐pulsing mode of glow‐type coronas in air is modelled as a source of momentum whose conservation is substantially preserved across the external transfer region. The tangible prospect of charge‐bearing flows in the form of a filamentary convection, with negligible drifting component, in buffer gas is put forward in relation to spontaneous symmetry‐breaking instability. This setting bears some resemblance to the self‐organised collective behaviour of self‐propelled (active) particles. The value of this scheme gains strength precisely in relation to the strong inhomogeneity of the electric field surrounding electrodes prone to go into corona. On such a basis, it is believed that the drift of corona‐generated ions deserves to be reconsidered in view of the arguments set out in the present modelling.