Effect of airflow on the discharge uniformity at different cycles in the repetitive unipolar nanosecond‐pulsed dielectric barrier discharge

Abstract

This study explores the discharge uniformity at different cycles under different airflow velocities in nanosecond‐pulsed dielectric barrier discharge. Based on a proper choice of the airflow velocity and discharge parameters, diffuse discharges can be maintained at an air gap of 5–7 mm. At higher airflow velocities, the discharge may transition to a complex mode, in which the diffuse and filamentary regions are maintained simultaneously. When the discharge is operated at a higher frequency, higher voltage, or smaller gas gap, the area of diffuse discharge can be expanded to a certain extent. The discharge characteristics indicate that airflow lowers the gas temperature and modulates the preionization degree, which induces the generation of a diffuse discharge for a properly adjusted airflow velocity.