Plasma phase

[BangShiuh]

For a typical electron collision process in plasma, ex. e + N2 -> e + N2*

the energy is provided by the electron instead of gas. The electron temperature is different from gas due to low momentum transfer efficiency between electron and molecule. Therefore, a gas heating term is required for such reactions. The value is usually the enthalpy difference of N2* and N2 or the threshold energy (eV). Ultimately we need to have two phases: electron and gas, and the energy can transfer between them. The use of NASA polynomial for electrons might not be accurate or meaningful. Instead, electrons should have their own phase.

Describe the need for the proposed change:

• What problem is it trying to solve? - Plasma thermodynamics
• Who is affected by the change? - People who are doing Plasma chemistry
• Why is this a good solution? - Eliminate the band-aid solution of using gas phase to express plasma (electron) phase.

References Plasma Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511546075

[ischoegl]

Linking #105 and Cantera/cantera#700.