Numerical Simulation of Gap Length Influence on Energy Deposition in Spark Discharge

The aim of the work is to study the influence of the length of the spark gap on energy input into the discharge channel during its gas-dynamic expansion. Methodology. The research is carried out by numerical modeling of the process of spark discharge development at variable values of the discharge gap length and at invariable other discharge conditions. The length of the gap was set in the range from 1 mm to 20 mm. The study was conducted using a numerical model of spark development, which takes into account the processes of nonstationary gas-dynamic expansion of the spark channel, the transient process in the electric circuit, nonequilibrium chemical processes, gas ionization, heat transfer and electrons thermal conductivity. The simulation was performed in atmospheric pressure nitrogen. The calculation was performed for various parameters of the RLC circuit, such as capacitance, inductance, resistance and voltage across the capacitor. Results. The study evaluates the influence of the spark length on the discharge current, the resistance of the spark channel, the energy deposited in the spark channel, and the distribution of thermodynamic parameters of the gas during the development of the spark discharge. It is confirmed that increasing the length of the gap increases the resistance of the spark. The deviation from the linear relationship between the deposited energy or the radiated energy and the length of the spark gap is estimated. Scientific novelty. A linear relationship between the gap length and the deposited energy is revealed when the total energy is above tens of Joules. Deviations from the linear dependence were detected in the discharge circuit when the total energy is below one of Joules. Practical value. The research results allow predicting the effect of the spark gap length on the energy input into the discharge channel under conditions of a slight change in the discharge current. In the conditions of essential change of amplitude of discharge current it is expedient to apply numerical researches for specification of changes in the energy deposited into a spark discharge.