Numerical simulations of non-thermal electrical discharges in air

Book chapter, 2012

Fundamental processes in low-temperature non-equilibrium gas discharges are briefly reviewed. Basic principles of a hydrodynamic approach for modelling such discharges are discussed. Implementation of the model in commercial finite-element software is presented and its capabilities are illustrated by results of computer simulations of corona discharges in air. Further, specific features of streamer discharges are elucidated. Numerical challenges in simulations of streamers dynamics are introduced and a finite-difference implementation of the streamer propagation model is presented. Properties and characteristics of positive and negative streamers in air are discussed based on the results of the computer simulations.