Characterization of the atmospheric electrical environment near a corona ion-emitting source

Presence of high concentrations of corona ions in any air environment cause changes in the earth's natural dc e-field; while their interaction with airborne aerosols produce charged particles. The charged particles and ions are dispersed by wind, and depending on the prevailing meteorology, their presence can be observed several hundreds of metres from the ion source. This paper presents a study characterizing the electrical environment of a strong substantially constant source of corona ions (a high voltage electricity substation).Results of the study showed that corona ion and particle charge concentrations as well as their associated effect on the vertical dc e-field perturbations decreased with distance from the emitting source. Mean particle charge concentration in the air environment of the ion-emitting source (−1750±745 ions cm−3) was three times higher than that of an urban outdoor air and 17 times that of a mechanically ventilated room. Statistical investigation of possible associations between parameters showed strong associations (R2=74%, p<0.05) between particle charge and ion concentration; and 54% correlation between particle charge and magnitude of the vertical dc e-field (mean value of −285±51 V m−1). Although a source of ambient electrical charge, the electricity substation was not a significant generator of aerosol particles within the size range (0.02–1 μm) examined in this study.