Impulsive-discharge formation in water

Abstract

This paper reports on research on an impulsive electrical discharge in deionized water (ρ=2 × 10⁴ Ω· m) in the voltage range 17–50 kV. The research showed that the discharge proceeds through the development of subsonic (U=17–22 kV) or supersonic (U=25–50 kV) streamers, depending on the electric-field strength at the surface of the tip. When voltage impulses having an amplitude of 20–25 kV are unleashed, the development of both types of streamers is observed in the discharge gap. The experiments carried out by the authors do not confirm the hydrodynamic origin of the disturbances at the initiating electrode that give rise to the discharge's development. The authors hypothesize that streamer development is due to the ionization of water molecules. The energy expenditures to ionize the molecules in the streamer channel are estimated.