Modeling of an EHD corona flow in nitrogen gas using an asymmetric capacitor for propulsion

TL;DR

This paper investigates the propulsive force generated by positive corona discharge in nitrogen gas using an asymmetric capacitor, applying electrohydrodynamics theory to understand the force mechanism.

Contribution

It provides a detailed physical analysis of the electrohydrodynamic forces in asymmetric capacitors for propulsion applications.

Findings

Identification of the force mechanism in EHD corona flows

Quantitative analysis of electrostatic and hydrodynamic forces

Insights into optimizing capacitor geometry for propulsion

Abstract

The present work intends to identify the nature of the propulsive force that occurs during a positive corona discharge in nitrogen gas using an asymmetric capacitor geometry. 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 an asymmetrical capacitor.