Laboratory and field measurements of NOx produced from corona discharge

This research consists of a laboratory study and a field study. The laboratory research reports the formation of NO_x from a point to plane corona discharge. Discharge polarity and relative humidity determined the amount of NO_x that was produced. The positive point discharge caused more NO_x to form than the negative point discharge. For both polarities NO_x production showed a nonlinear increase with current. Relative humidity enhanced the NO_x formation for both polarities. In each case, the amount of NO_x formed was comparable to the quantity of N₂O produced from corona discharge. The research also reports the results from a field study that measured the amounts of 03 and NO₂ produced by corona discharge during a thunderstorm. The study found that the ambient concentrations of 03 and NO₂ increased several fold due to corona discharge and returned to original levels after the thunderstorm.