The evolution of spark discharges in gases: II. Numerical solution of one-dimensional models

Two different one-dimensional models describing the evolution of sparking in air are solved numerically using the artificial viscosity method and a flux-corrected transport algorithm. The influence of the solution technique, especially the treatment of the shock wave, is studied. The breakdown stage of the spark is included in the initial conditions. The electrical energy input is calculated from a prescribed current waveform coupled to the calculation of plasma conductivity. The effect of varying power input on the evolution of the plasma kernel is studied. It is shown that shock wave reflection from a rigid wall close to the spark gap influences the growth of the plasma kernel. The results indicate that the Eulerian description of motion can be used to model flow with shock waves with accuracy equal to that of the Lagrangian description.