Understanding Corona
Corona, scientifically known as a corona discharge, is an electrical discharge that occurs when a high-voltage current is passed through a gas. This phenomenon creates a glowing light or halo around a charged object, typically seen in things like coronal loops on the sun or the halo around the moon during a lunar eclipse.
Types of Corona
There are two main types of coronas: positive and negative. A positive corona occurs when the voltage is high enough to strip electrons from the gas molecules, creating positively charged ions that move towards the negatively charged object. A negative corona, on the other hand, is created when the voltage is not high enough to strip electrons from the gas molecules, causing negatively charged ions to move towards the positively charged object.
Applications of Corona
Coronas have a variety of practical applications in everyday life. For example, they are used in air purifiers to create ozone, which helps to eliminate bacteria and odors in the air. In industrial settings, coronas are used in processes like surface treatment, printing, and particle removal.
Case Study: Ozone Generation
One common application of corona discharge is in the generation of ozone for air purification. By passing air through a corona discharge field, oxygen molecules are split apart and recombine to form ozone, a powerful oxidizing agent that can kill bacteria and neutralize odors. This process is commonly used in water treatment plants, hospitals, and even in some household air purifiers.
Statistics
According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global corona treatment market is projected to reach $256.2 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 3.72% from 2017 to 2022. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for corona treatment in industries like packaging, printing, and automotive.
