Electron Swarm Parameters in Methane-Nitrogen Mixtures

Abstract

In this paper, binary methane-nitrogen gas mixtures are recommended in order to reduce the industrial use of methane, which stands out among the greenhouse gases. The electron mean energy, drift velocity, ionization and effective ionization coefficients are presented for the binary mixtures with the CH4 content, varying from 20% to 80% in the mixtures. The relevant parameters of pure methane and nitrogen are evaluated for comparison with the data available in literature in order to verify the validity of the computational methodology which is based on solution of the Boltzmann equation. The swarm parameters in the methane-nitrogen mixtures have been evaluated for E/N from 80 Td to 400 Td (1 Td = 1 × 10 −17 V cm 2). The presented data and the results have the potential to be widely used in plasma physics, electrical insulation systems, and space studies.