Image made using the COMSOL Multiphysics® software and is provided courtesy of COMSOL.
The Electric Discharge Module, an add-on to the COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation software, is used to understand, analyze, and predict the behavior of electric discharges in gases, liquids, and solid dielectrics. This includes the analysis of streamer, corona, dielectric barrier, and arc discharges.
Applications of the Electric Discharge Module range from consumer electronics to high-voltage power system components. With its capabilities for simulating lightning-induced electromagnetic pulses, electrostatic discharges, and other related events, the module serves as an important tool for product development, helping to reduce costs associated with experimental testing and prototyping.
The module seamlessly integrates with other products in the COMSOL product suite, including with those for electromagnetics, structural mechanics, and fluid dynamics, enabling users to explore the multiphysics effects often associated with electric discharges.
Simulate streamer discharges in gas or liquid dielectrics, considering impact ionization or field ionization.
The double-headed streamers propagating in a uniform electric field.
Resolve the nanosecond dynamics of Trichel pulses within 30 microseconds of evolution.
The Trichel pulses produced by a point-to-plate negative corona discharge.
Simulate the electrostatic discharge (ESD) current experienced when a human hand touches metal.
The plot shows a sub-nanosecond ESD pulse generated by the discharge between a human finger and a metal object.
Simulate either a stationary DC arc or a transient arc using a magnetohydrodynamics approach.
Simulate either a stationary DC arc or a transient arc using a magnetohydrodynamics approach.
Analyze positive corona discharges while accounting for the ionization layer.
The positive space charge layers generated by the glow corona discharge in concentric cylindrical electrode configurations.
Automatically compute the accumulation and relaxation of surface charge at the interface between gas and solid dielectric materials.
The logarithmic-scale charge density in the domain and on the dielectric interface.
Resolve the dynamics of electrons, holes, and their trapped counterparts with a bipolar charge transport model.
Space charge density at 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 s when the initial electric field is 80 kV/mm inside a polyethylene layer.
Calculate lightning-induced voltage and address its impact on transmission lines, airplanes, and wind farms.
A lightning strike hits a transmission tower, resulting in induced voltages along the power lines.
This model verifies that the onset of streamer formation between two spheres separated by atmospheric pressure dry air at a distance of 2cm occurs at 51.8kV. The electrical breakdown is detected by integrating Townsend coefficients along the electric field lines between the two spheres. Once the integrated Townsend coefficient reaches a certain threshold, a streamer will form creating a short circuit.
This model analyzes lightning surges in an offshore wind farm. When a lightning strike with a current of 20 kA hit one wind turbine, the induced electric fields in adjacent wind turbines were computed.
This model computes the lightning-induced voltage on an overhead line positioned above a lossy ground. It includes parameters like the inclination angle of lightning channels and soil conductivity, enabling straightforward analysis of their impacts. The calculated induced voltage aligns well with experimental measurements.
This model demonstrates the analysis of lightning surges on high voltage transmission line towers. Lightning carrying a current of 10 kA struck one of the tower’s shielded wires. The induced voltage at the three-phase conductors are computed.
Some highlights of this model:
This model presents a 2D simulation of transient arc discharge movement along guided copper rails. While accurately modeling transient arcs typically requires a 3D simulation, the 2D approach offers greater efficiency and remains valuable for initial investigations and demonstration purposes.
Unwanted arcing can have serious adverse effects on electrical and electronic equipment and systems. To improve the understanding and prediction of arc dynamics, it is crucial to conduct multiphysics simulations of transient arc processes. This model features a 3D simulation of transient arc discharge movement in guided copper rails, utilizing the Arc Discharge multiphysics interface based on a magnetohydrodynamics formulation. The simulated arc voltage and arc velocity show good agreement with experimental results.
This model simulates a negative dielectric barrier discharge under a point-to-plate electrode configuration. Two solid dielectric layers are inserted into the air gap. A negative voltage of 2.5 kV is applied to the cathode electrode, initiating a corona streamer that propagates and generates a current pulse. The resulting negative charge carriers accumulate at the gas–solid interface, altering the electric field. Ultimately, a stable negative surface discharge is formed. The simulated discharge current and surface charge distribution at the gas–solid interface show excellent agreement with experimental results.
This model simulates the velocity of the ionic wind generated by a wire-to-wire corona discharge. Ionic wind, created by the movement of charged particles in an electric field, can be harnessed for various applications, including cooling electronic components and enhancing heat dissipation. The model provides insights into the behavior of ionic wind, enabling its optimization for practical applications in electronics cooling and other fields.
This example simulates the propagation of a positive streamer in transformer oil under a lightning impulse voltage. The space charge density and the electric field are obtained. The simulated streamer radius agrees well with the measured values.
This example investigates the electrical and thermal characteristics of a welding argon arc created in a point-to-plane configuration. The discharge is assumed to be in local thermodynamic equilibrium. The electric arc is considered a conductive fluid medium and is modeled using a magnetohydrodynamics approach. This model shows how to use the Arc Discharge multiphysics interface to simulate an DC arc. The simulated arc temperature is in good agreement with the experiments published in the literature.
