Quasi-stationary numerical model of the dielectric barrier discharge

• Numerical algorithm to investigate dynamic characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge.
• Effect of surface charge accumulation on electric field intensity has been modeled.
• The current shifting was observed due to the effect of the accumulated surface charge.
• Larger input voltage, and higher frequency result in a larger current in the circuit.
• At higher frequencies positive and negative ions contribute to generate current.

The aim of this paper is to present a numerical algorithm for investigating the dynamic characteristics of a simple model of the dielectric barrier discharge in air. The proposed algorithm is based on the finite element method and is capable of determining the distribution of electric field intensity and space charge density in the point-plane geometry, when the plane is covered with a thin dielectric layer and the needle is energized with a sinusoidal voltage. The simulation results show the behavior of corona current and space charge density for a few values of the input voltage and frequency. The aim of this parametric study is to investigate the effect of voltage, and frequency on the time variation of the discharge.