The high altitude balloon operations at Esrange Space Center have been goingon since 1972, and about 550 launches have been performed. Their present service system for the high altitude balloons is about 18 years old. To be able to meet the requests from their customers, SSC have started the development of a new service system. A service system contains all features and technology required to perform a high altitude balloon mission. This system is separated from the payload. Important design aspects for the new service system have been investigated to be able to leave recommendations to SSC. These are frequency for the radio communication, modulation scheme for the communication link, prevention of corona discharge, and available computer systems to be used as on-board computers. These design aspects have been evaluated according to the requirements for the development project. Theory, articles, available standards and analyzes have been read and evaluated to reach a conclusion about these subjects. It was found that the best frequency bands are the 400MHz-band, downlink, and the 450MHz-band, uplink. The operation in these bands will be unmodified for many years, and the link suffers little loss. The 2.3GHz-band is interesting from an international perspective, and it is suggested that SSC work to get a band dedicated to aeronautical services in this band. The best modulation scheme for the service system is GMSK, as it has very good spectral eficiency. The corona discharge can only be prevented indirect by SSC, as the phenomena occurs within or between components, aspects which SSC can't control. Standardized methods for tests and specications lists was suggested to minimize the risk of a discharge. The best computer system is an in-house designed service system that have been used on sounding rockets. It fits the present requirements the best. It suggested that the Beaglebone Black should be implemented in basic systems, providing processing and storage via simple serial communication, as it is a very cost eficient solution.

O Triodo de corona com corrente constante foi utilizado em medidas da evolução do potencial de superfície de amostras de FEP 12 e 25 &#956m, carregadas com corona positiva e negativa no FEP 12 e 25 &#956m carregadas com corona positiva e negativa no ar e no nitrogênio. Estas medidas permitem concluir que não há diferença a nível de transporte de cargas entre os resultados com os dois gases. Apenas a umidade é importante para a subida e o decaimento do potencial de superfície. A subida do potencial de superfície de amostras de FEP 12 &#956m carregadas com corona negativa foi interpretada por meio da justaposição de dois modelos teóricos. No material só existem armadilhas profundas, em número finito, tanto na superfície quanto no volume; sendo que as de volume estão uniformemente distribuídas. Nenhum decaimento significativo de potencial é observado. A superfície desempenha um papel predominante na captura e injeção de portadores nas amostras de 12 &#956m carrega - das com corona positiva. Um modelo teórico que supõe schubweg dependente do campo médio reproduz os resultados experimentais. / The corona triode with constant current was used to measure the evolution of surface potential of FEP 12 and 25 &#956m samples, charged with positive and negative corona in air and in nitrogen. No difference in the transport properties in thin samples was observed when the gas was changed and this allowed us to conclude that electrons and holes are the carriers responsible by the transport of charge in the material. Only the moisture is important to the build up and decay of surface potential. The build up of surface potential of 12 &#956m samples charged with negative corona was interpreted by means of a deep fast trapping model in the beginning, followed by an increase of the trapping time when saturation is approached. Surface traps are also present. No significative potential decay is observed. The surface performs an important role in the trap¬ ping and injection of carriers into the bulk of 12 &#956m samples charged with positive corona. A theoretical model that assumes schubweg dependent on mean electric field fits the experimental results.

Corona discharge is one of the crucial problems related with high-voltage equipment. This paper focuses on the physical and numerical modelling of corona discharge in an Electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The model is based on Maxwells equations and the Finite element method (FEM) and is implemented with the COMSOL Multiphysics software.The simulation allows studying the electric charge distribution and the behaviour of the electric field inside the ESP. The work is focused primarily on time-dependent studies of the corona discharge.

O Triodo de corona com corrente constante foi utilizado em medidas da evolução do potencial de superfície de amostras de FEP 12 e 25 &#956m, carregadas com corona positiva e negativa no FEP 12 e 25 &#956m carregadas com corona positiva e negativa no ar e no nitrogênio. Estas medidas permitem concluir que não há diferença a nível de transporte de cargas entre os resultados com os dois gases. Apenas a umidade é importante para a subida e o decaimento do potencial de superfície. A subida do potencial de superfície de amostras de FEP 12 &#956m carregadas com corona negativa foi interpretada por meio da justaposição de dois modelos teóricos. No material só existem armadilhas profundas, em número finito, tanto na superfície quanto no volume; sendo que as de volume estão uniformemente distribuídas. Nenhum decaimento significativo de potencial é observado. A superfície desempenha um papel predominante na captura e injeção de portadores nas amostras de 12 &#956m carrega - das com corona positiva. Um modelo teórico que supõe schubweg dependente do campo médio reproduz os resultados experimentais. / The corona triode with constant current was used to measure the evolution of surface potential of FEP 12 and 25 &#956m samples, charged with positive and negative corona in air and in nitrogen. No difference in the transport properties in thin samples was observed when the gas was changed and this allowed us to conclude that electrons and holes are the carriers responsible by the transport of charge in the material. Only the moisture is important to the build up and decay of surface potential. The build up of surface potential of 12 &#956m samples charged with negative corona was interpreted by means of a deep fast trapping model in the beginning, followed by an increase of the trapping time when saturation is approached. Surface traps are also present. No significative potential decay is observed. The surface performs an important role in the trap¬ ping and injection of carriers into the bulk of 12 &#956m samples charged with positive corona. A theoretical model that assumes schubweg dependent on mean electric field fits the experimental results.

No description available.

Increasing concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites in aquatic environment threatens both aquatic species and human health. Many pharmaceuticals are persistent in the environment and resistant to conventional water treatment; hence, alternate treatment techniques are required to remove these compounds from water. Aqueous phase electrical discharge has been demonstrated to successfully remove a range of pharmaceutical compounds from water. This technique is characterized by the simultaneous generation of highly reactive species and physical effects within the aqueous solution to be treated. The present study investigates and optimizes the efficacy of pulsed corona discharges generated in water for the treatment of carbamazepine (CBZ) in a relatively clean water matrix by varying the solution pH, solution conductivity, gas type injected, and gas flow rate injected. A point-to-plane reactor configuration was employed to produce plasma channel- streamers. In this geometry, the electrical discharges were produced directly within the aqueous phase to be treated by charging a 1nF pulse forming capacitor using a high voltage (25 KV) DC power supply through 10 MΩ resistor to generate discharges within the water at a 30 HZ pulse repetition rate. Solution pH, solution conductivity, gas type, and gas flow rate were optimized to maximize the removal efficacy of CBZ removal by pulsed corona at the laboratory scale. The CBZ degradation rate (concentration decrease over time) was monitored using LC/MS/MS, with overall degradation ranging from 14-94% depending on the experimental conditions. The results demonstrate that higher CBZ removal efficiency is achieved under lower pH and conductivity conditions. Moreover, enhanced degradation efficiency is obtained when gas, and particularly oxygen, is bubbled through the high voltage hollow electrode, especially at higher flow rates. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Pharmaceuticals are being released into the environment at an increasing rate due to population growth and a rising dependence on these compounds. Pharmaceuticals are resistant to many common water treatment methods; however, electrical discharge generated within the water to be treated (pulsed corona discharge) is an emerging water treatment technology that has been shown to successfully treat many pharmaceuticals. In the present work, pulsed corona discharge has been used to treat carbamazepine present in a relatively clean water matrix. Removal was maximized by optimizing the solution pH, solution conductivity, type of gas bubbled through the electrode, and gas flow rate. The best removal was achieved in solutions with lower pH and conductivities where oxygen was bubbled through the electrode at a relatively high rate.

Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) is a promising research field with several trending applications. Even though the phenomenon was first observed centuries ago, there is very little research until the middle 20th century, as the mechanisms behind it were very poorly understood. To this date, the majority of research is based on the development of empirical models and the presentation of laboratory experiments. This work begins with an extensive literature review on the phenomenon, clarifying conflicts between researchers throughout the history and listing the findings of the latest research. The literature review reveals that there are very few mathematical models describing even the most important parameters of the EHD fluid flow and most are either empirical or greatly simplified. As such, practical mathematical models for the assessment of all primary performance characteristics describing EHD fluid accelerators (Voltage Potential, Electric Field Intensity, Corona Discharge Current and Fluid Velocity) were developed and are begin presented in this work. These cover all configurations where the emitter faces a plane or another identical electrode and has a cylindrical surface. For configurations where the emitter faces a plane or another identical electrode and has a spherical surface, Corona Discharge Current and Fluid Velocity models have been presented as well. Laboratory experiments and computer simulations were performed and are being thoroughly presented in Chapter 4, verifying the accuracy and usability of the developed mathematical models. The laboratory experiments were performed using two of the most popular EHD electrode configurations - wire-plane and needle-grid. Finally, the findings of this research are being summarized in the conclusion, alongside with suggestions for future research. The step-by-step development of the equipotential lines mathematical model is presented in Appendix A. Appendix B covers the mathematical proof that the proposed field lines model is accurate and that the arcs are perpendicular to the surface of the electrodes and to all of the equipotential lines.

Usando geometrias do tipo ponta e plano estudou-se as características elétricas da descarga corona positiva e negativa. Mediram-se as distribuições da densidade de corrente elétrica e do campo elétrico sobre o plano coletor dos íons. São discutidos os resultados obtidos para o sistema ponta planos e para o sistema em que o campo elétrico externo é aplicado através de uma placa adicional colocada perto da ponta. Neste último caso os resultados são interpretados com um modelo teórico que supõe que os íons se movem direção perpendicular entre as placas, sob a ação de um campo constante e lateralmente sob o campo de repulsão da carga espacial. / Electric characteristics of a positive and negative corona discharge were studied for geometries of the type point and plane. The electric current density and the electric field distributions on the collector plane were measured. We discuss the results obtained with the point and plane geometry and with the geometry were a external electric field is applied by means of an additional metallic plate fixed near the point. For the latter geometry the results were interpreted by using a theoretical model in which it is assumed that the ions drift in the direction perpendicular to the plates under a constant electric field and laterally under the field of the ionic space charge.

Usando geometrias do tipo ponta e plano estudou-se as características elétricas da descarga corona positiva e negativa. Mediram-se as distribuições da densidade de corrente elétrica e do campo elétrico sobre o plano coletor dos íons. São discutidos os resultados obtidos para o sistema ponta planos e para o sistema em que o campo elétrico externo é aplicado através de uma placa adicional colocada perto da ponta. Neste último caso os resultados são interpretados com um modelo teórico que supõe que os íons se movem direção perpendicular entre as placas, sob a ação de um campo constante e lateralmente sob o campo de repulsão da carga espacial. / Electric characteristics of a positive and negative corona discharge were studied for geometries of the type point and plane. The electric current density and the electric field distributions on the collector plane were measured. We discuss the results obtained with the point and plane geometry and with the geometry were a external electric field is applied by means of an additional metallic plate fixed near the point. For the latter geometry the results were interpreted by using a theoretical model in which it is assumed that the ions drift in the direction perpendicular to the plates under a constant electric field and laterally under the field of the ionic space charge.

A obtenção de compósitos poliméricos condutores de eletricidade tem sido alvo de pesquisa com o objetivo de combinar as propriedades de diferentes materiais poliméricos. Neste trabalho foram preparados compósitos de filmes de poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET) com camadas superficiais do polímero condutor polianilina (PANI). Para obter a camada condutora o filme de PET foi imerso no meio reacional da síntese da PANI, realizada em solução método este freqüentemente empregado para a produção de PANI. Foram otimizados os parâmetros da síntese (temperatura, concentração dos reagentes, tempo de polimerização, etc..) com o objetivo de se obter uma camada de PANI com espessura adequada, condutividade superficial elevada e com boa adesão no substrato de PET. O processo da reação de polimerização foi monitorada pela medida do potencial de circuito aberto e também diretamente pela camada de PANI depositada no PET, através de medidas de espectrocospia UV-Vis-NIR, condutividade elétrica e adesão da camada de PANI. Em condições otimizadas da síntese, realizada a temperatura ambiente durante o tempo de 20 minutos, pode-se obter camadas de PANI com condutividade da ordem de 10 S/em, boa adesão ao substrato de PET e com razoável transparência óptica. Os compósitos obtidos nas condições otimizadas foram caracterizados usando-se microscopia por SEM, microscopia óptica, microscopia AFM, difratogramas de raios-X, DSC, análise DMTA, análise TGA, correntes termo estimuladas, medidas de ruptura elétrica, medidas de adesão e solubilidade da camada de PANI. Verificou-se também que o tratamento térmico dos compósitos melhora a adesão da camada de PANI ao substrato de PET. Foi descoberto um novo método para dopar as camadas condutoras de PANI no qual o compósito desdopado é tratado por descarga corona. O processo é realizado totalmente a seco e pode-se obter uma condutividade da camada de PANI da ordem de 0,3 S/em com boa adesão. Observou-se que a eficiência do processo é dependente da umidade relativa do ar na câmara de tratamento e que a estabilidade da condutividade elétrica é melhor que nas amostras dopadas em solução / Composites with conductive properties have been proposed as materiais in which different physical properties of polymers are combined. In this work a composite consisting of surface layers of polyaniline, PANI, deposited on films of poly(ethylene terephtalate), PET, were prepared. In order to deposit the PANI the PET film were immersed in the solution in which the synthesis reaction is carried out. The parameters of the synthesis usually optimized in order to obtain a layer of PANI with enough thickness, high electric conductivity and good adhesion to the PET substrate. The synthesis was monitored by means of open circuit potential and also using UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy and the electric conductivity of the PANI layer on PET. Using the optimized conditions, at room temperature and polymerization time of 20 minutes, a composite with a surface conductivity of the order of 10 S/em, good adhesion and a reasonable optical transparence can be obtained. Such composite were characterized employing electron scanning microscope, atomic force microscope, optic microscope, X-rays diffractometry, differential scanning calorimeter, thermal dynamic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, thermally stimulated depolarization current, electric thermal stability of the conductivity, electric breakdown measurements, adhesion measurements and solubility of the PANI layer. It was also found that the thermal treatment leads to an improvement of the adhesion properties of the PANllayer. It was found that a corona discharge could be used to dope the PANI layer of a dedoped composite, leading to a new method for doping polymeric materiais. Such process is performed under dry conditions and gave a conductivity of the order 0.3 S/em. The process efficiency is dependent of the relative air humidity of the corona chamber and the thermal stability of the electric conductivity is betler when compared with the composites obtained by doping in solution.