High-frequency corona discharge in propane-air mixtures

The effect of propane additives on the propagation and electrical characteristics of a high-frequency corona discharge in air under normal conditions is studied. It is shown that even small propane additives below the flame lean limit in ambient conditions lead to increase in the discharge filaments length, development of a more branched filament structure, additional increase in electrical power input, and some stabilization of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of the discharge thermal cavern. The primary physical mechanism responsible for the observed effects is assumed to be an additional chemical heat release in the discharge.