Numerical simulations of nanosecond discharge in gas-dynamic flows

Numerical simulations were performed of the nanosecond high-voltage breakdown in nitrogen at a voltage of 25–35 kV in the sub-centimeter discharge gaps. The streamer configurations were studied at two constant pressures, as well as at the radially varying pressure, simulating the pressure distribution in the axial region of the vortex “columnar” gas-dynamic flow. In each case, the characteristic parameters and propagation velocities of the primary and secondary streamers were calculated. It was ascertained that the law of pressure change in the radial direction strongly affects the spatial structure of the negative streamer.