Cerman: Software for simulating streamer propagation in dielectric liquids based on the Townsend-Meek criterion

TL;DR

Cerman is a Python-based software tool that simulates positive streamer propagation in dielectric liquids, modeling electric fields and breakdown processes to aid high-power equipment insulation research.

Contribution

The paper introduces Cerman, a novel Python software for simulating streamer propagation in dielectric liquids based on the Townsend-Meek criterion, with demonstrated versatility.

Findings

Successfully models electric field in needle-plane geometry

Simulates streamer propagation based on avalanche meeting Townsend-Meek criterion

Demonstrates software's capability through various simulations

Abstract

We present a software to simulate the propagation of positive streamers in dielectric liquids. Such liquids are commonly used for electric insulation of high-power equipment. We simulate electrical breakdown in a needle-plane geometry, where the needle and the extremities of the streamer are modeled by hyperboloids, which are used to calculate the electric field in the liquid. If the field is sufficiently high, electrons released from anions in the liquid can turn into electron avalanches, and the streamer propagates if an avalanche meets the Townsend-Meek criterion. The software is written entirely in Python and released under an MIT license. We also present a set of model simulations demonstrating the capability and versatility of the software.