Fluid Modeling of a Nitrogen Atmospheric-Pressure Planar Dielectric Barrier Discharge Driven by a Realistic Distorted Sinusoidal Alternating Current Power Source

Abstract

One-dimensional self-consistent simulations of a parallel-plate atmospheric-pressure nitrogen dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) are presented. The DBD was driven by a realistic distorted-sinusoidal voltage power source with a frequency of 60 kHz. The simulated discharge currents are in quantitative agreement with experimental measurements. N-4(+) ions gain more of the input electric power than electrons, which is unlike most glow discharges. The densities of all charged and neutral species increase exponentially with increasing applied peak voltage in the range of 6.2-8.6 kV. The higher the permittivity of the dielectric material, the larger the discharge current and the longer the period of gas breakdown. In addition, the quantity of accumulated charges at each electrode increases with increasing permittivity of the dielectric material. Finally, the increase in dielectric thickness from 1.0 to 2.0mm greatly reduces the densities of all species and also the plasma absorbed by the power. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics