Numerical analysis of induction charging of conductive cylinders in non-uniform electric fields

The surface charge simulation program, based on the boundary element method of electric field computation, has been employed for the evaluation of the charge acquired by induction and of the electric force acting on conductiv e bodies of cylindrical shape and various sizes, in contact with a plate el ectrode affected by a non-uniform field. The study has also addressed the s ituation of conducting and insulating particle assemblies forming a more or less compact layer on the surface of that electrode. The computations show that the proximity of other bodies cause a significant reduction of the ch arge acquired by induction and of the electric force acting on a given part icle. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.