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

TL;DR

This study investigates how varying the number of positive ion sources affects the propulsion efficiency of an asymmetric capacitor in nitrogen gas, using electrohydrodynamics theory to analyze force mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a comparative analysis of propulsion forces based on the number of ion sources in asymmetric capacitors, providing physical insights into their force mechanisms.

Findings

Number of ion sources influences propulsion force

Electrohydrodynamics theory explains force mechanisms

Potential improvements in propulsion efficiency

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.