NOx Production by Atmospheric Discharges

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DeSilva This project will study the production of NOx in natural lightning by means of laboratory discharges with parameters similar to atmospheric lightning, using an existing apparatus equipped with a large array of diagnostics. The procedure will be to compare experimental measurements of densities, temperatures, emitted radiation, and NOx concentration with a time-dependent numerical simulation which includes the fluid dynamic expansion, the resulting shock wave, the ionization rate equations and the chemical rate equations for relevant reactions. Initial results from the simulation show that the amount on NO produced per Joule (P) depends on the energy density in the core and on the ambient pressure. First year funds will be used to initiate the experimental program in order to verify the core energy density and ambient pressure dependence of P and to improve the computer simulation code. In succeeding years, the effects that influence the core radius, energy deposition, and hence energy density will be investigated.