Numerical modeling of a DBD in glow mode at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

In this work, a fluid model of helium glow discharge at atmospheric pressure in a dielectric barrier discharge configuration has been developed and the discharge was numerically simulated. The transport equations for charged and excited species are self-consistent coupled to the Poisson equation for the electrical field calculation. A finite difference method technique is adopted; a detailed numerical procedure modeling is given. The addition of some nitrogen impurities to the helium successfully reproduced the discharge evolution during the breakdown. The numerical results showed that the discharge has a structure similar to DC low-pressure glow discharges and confirms the establishment of the glow regime at atmospheric pressure under very adequate conditions. The profiles of physical and electrical discharge parameters knowing that, particle densities, electric field, drift velocity, voltages and discharge current are presented and analyzed. A detailed study was made of the effect of nitrogen impurities on the stability of the glow mode of the discharge, and on the evolution of its parameters.