Efficiencies for production of NOx and O3 by streamer discharges in air at atmospheric pressure

Laboratory experiments were performed to estimate the production of NO, and 03 in streamer discharges in a coaxial cylindrical cell in atmospheric air pressure. A standard lightning impulse voltage (1.2/50 mu s) applied to the central wire of the cell created streamer discharges in the space between the central wire and the inner cylinder and the produced NOx and O-3 was measured by chemiluminescence and ultraviolet absorption method, respectively. The results show that the efficiency of NOx and O-3 generation by positive streamers are (1-2) x 10(16) and (2-3) x 10(17) molecules/J, respectively. The efficiency Of O-3 generation by negative streamers is (5-7) x 10(16) molecules/J. NOx production could not be detected in negative streamers. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.