Electrohydrodynamic peculiarities of corona discharge interaction with a liquid surface

This study was devoted to experimental investigations of a corona discharge over the surface of the following liquids: tap and distilled water, alcohol, glycerin, and mixtures of alcohol with water and glycerin. One of the electrodes was placed over the liquid surface, while another one was submerged in it. Three modes of discharge over the liquid surface were obtained, namely an ordinary corona, an intermediate mode, and an arc discharge mode. In these modes, a funnel-shaped deepening, jets, and scattered jets directed toward the upper electrode were observed on the liquid surface under the action of the discharge. A qualitative mode of funnel formation on the liquid surface under the influence of an ionic wind induced by a corona discharge was presented. The formation of jets and scattered jets was related to the development of Tonks-Frenkel and Rayleigh instabilities.