CALCULATION OF POTENTIALS AND FIELD STRENGTHS IN ELECTRICALLY CHARGED CLOUDS WITHIN A GROUNDED VESSEL

This report describes the use of the Monte Carlo random-walk technique to solve Poisson's equation for a number of different tank and field meter geometries. Electrical conditions are defined by the use of axial field meters suspended in electrically charged mists created during tank washing, but the only variable indicated is the field strength at the surface of the meter. Poisson's partial differential equation relates the field strength with the probe present to the electrical properties of the mist without a probe present. Therefore, estimations of the space charge density, field strengths, and potential can be made easily when tank geometries are simple, but for more complex geometries the equations become numerically lengthy. The Monte Carlo random-walk technique is used to solve the Poisson's equation, providing a better insight into the electrical conditions within tanks.