Numerical solution of nonstationary charge coupled problems

This paper presents calculations in charge coupled systems. The method is based upon a finite element approach for solving the Poisson equation and a nonstationary higher-order upstream finite volume scheme on unstructured grids for the transport equation. In contrast to conventional approaches that constrain source distributions to piece-wise constants, a higher-order approximation is obtained by reconstructing the gradient of the charge distribution in the finite volumes. Anisotropy, nonlinearities, and recombination can easily be introduced because conservation is stated in integral form. Interaction with the surrounding neutral gas and the transport phenomena of charged particles are considered in separate turbulent flow models that are described elsewhere (Meroth et al., Int. Symp. Filtration and Separation of Fine Dust, April 1996). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.