BEHAVIOR OF CONDUCTING PARTICLES IN CORONA-DOMINATED ELECTRIC-FIELDS

The motion of charged particles in electric fields can be harmful to gas-insulated apparatus, or may be used beneficially in several electrostatic technologies, such as printing, coating and separation of mixed granular solids. The theoretical analysis and the experimental data demonstrate the existence of numerous factors which determine the behaviour of a single conducting particle in corona-dominated electric fields. Various kinds of particles, spherical and cylindrical in shape, are studied. Several high-voltage electrode arrangements (point-plate, co-axial wire-cylinder) are employed, in order to generate intense corona discharges. The results ('lift-off' field, amplitude of motion) are compared to the previously studied cases of electric fields without space charge.