Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

A time-of-arrival(TOA) system based on GPS technology for locating VHF radiation sources from lightning has been developed and used in observation sites in the northern Shandong Province,China.The 3D images of the lightning progression have been obtained successfully for the first time in China.The 3D-channel evolutions of typical negative CG,positive CG and IC lightning flashes have been discussed together with the data of fast electric field change.It was found that significant differences existed between the negative and positive CG lightning flashes in terms of the initiation and propagation of the radiation sources.The preliminary breakdown of a negative CG lightning flash propagated at a speed about 5.2×104 m/s.The stepped leader of negative CG lightning flashes was trigged by negative initial breakdown.Thereafter,it propagated downward at a speed of 1.3×105 m/s.The initial process of the positive CG lightning flashes was also a propagation process of negative streamer.These streamers propagated dominantly horizontally in the positive charge region and accumulated positive charges at the origin of the lightning,and as a consequence,initiated downward positive streamers.A new type of lightning discharge that was triggered by a narrow bipolar pulse(NBP) is discussed in this study.The NBP was originated at altitude of about 10.5 km in the upper positive charge region.As a distinct difference from normal IC flash,its channels extended horizontally all around and produced a lot of radiation sources.The source power of the NBP could approach 16.7 kW,which is much greater than that of normal lightning discharge ranging between 100 mW and 500 W.The 3D propagation of this new type of lightning discharge was observed and obtained for the first time in China.The possible initiation mechanism of this new type of light-ning is discussed here.

Estimate of NO_X production in the lightning channel based on three-dimensional lightning locating system

Based on the VHF lightning locating system,a three-dimensional-space cell-gridded approach is used to extract the lighting channel and calculate the length of the channel.Through clustering of the located radiation sources and then extracting the lightning channel,it can accurately obtain the length of the channel.To validate the feasibility of the approach,a simulation experiment is designed,and it shows the length error is no more than 10%.The relationship between the NO production of per unit arc length and atmospheric pressure obtained in laboratory is applied to the NOX production of per unit flash length at different altitudes in this paper.The channel length and the NOX production of 11 negative cloud-to-ground flashes and 59 intracloud flashes in an isolated thunderstorm in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are calculated.The results show that the average channel lengths of per cloud-to-ground and intracloud flash are 28.9 and 22.3 km respectively;the average NOX productions of per cloud-to-ground and intracloud flash are 1.89×1025 and 0.42×1025 molecules,respectively.

Power Network Lightning Accident Quick Inquiry with the Lightning Location System

At present, lightning is one of the 10 natural disasters, and it is also the top environmental factor of power interruption. It often causes huge losses to the electric system. The Wuhan High Voltage Institute of the State Grid Corporation of China and Huazhong University of Science and Technology have been researching and developing lightning location systems （LLSs） since the late 1980s. In the mid-1990s, a lightning detection network was created in 29 provinces and cities in China. It is primarily applied to rapidly find lightning accidents, which greatly reduces power interruption. Also, it ensures high efficiency and safe operation of the electricity system. Remarkable benefit is achieved. China＇s LLS went through an ＂orientation positioning - time difference positioning - integrated positioning＂ development process. The positioning precision, detection efficiency, degree of automation, practicability and applied range are improved. Also, a lightning information system plan of the national network has been implemented, which services the whole society.

Application of Data from a Lightning Location System in Huai'an Region

Based on data of cloud-to-ground lightning detected by a lightning location system in Jiangsu Province from 2007 to 2012and data of thunderstorm days from seven meteorological observation stations in Huai'an during 1961-2012,the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning in Huai'an were analyzed.The results show that the total frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning in one day was closely related to the intensity and frequency of thunder and lightning.The seasonal variations in the total frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning in Huai'an.The total frequency was shown in unimodal distribution,and the extreme values always appeared in July or August.Most cloud-to-ground lightning was negative,and its frequency accounted for about95.3% of the total frequency.Cloud-to-ground lightning density was high in the south of Huai'an and low in the north,and the serious and very serious ground flash zones concentrated in the south of Hongze County,and most parts of Xuyi and Jinhu County,so lightning protection should be an important task particularly in these regions.

Development of a low-frequency magnetic lightning mapping system(LFM-LMS)in North China:validation and preliminary results

A low-frequency magnetic lightning mapping system(LFM-LMS)was built during the SHAndong Triggered Lightning Experiment(SHATLE),based on continuous measurements of magnetic field radiation from lightning.The hardware and source-mapping techniques used by the LFM-LMS were introduced;both Monte Carlo simulations and the observation of rocket-triggered lightning examples were employed to examine the location accuracy and detection effectiveness of the LFM-LMS.We estimated that the system’s location accuracy about 100−200 m horizontally and~200 m vertically.A natural intra-cloud lightning flash and a rocket-triggered lightning flash,both with intricate structures and discharging processes,were examined using the three-dimensional mapping results.The progressing path of negative lightning leaders is usually well-defined,and its propagation speed is estimated to be(0.5−1.4)×10^(6)m/s.In summary,the LFM-LMS can reconstruct the three-dimensional morphology of lightning flashes;this technology provides a efficient method for investigating the characteristics of lightning development,as well as the overall electrical strucuture of thunderstorms.

Design and Implementation of Lightning Analysis Software Based on Lightning Location System Data

This paper discusses the steps about how to design and implement software based on lightning location system data and its localization map.The system contains four major modules such as real-time lightning monitoring,historical query,lightning intensity zoning,lightning disaster statistics,etc.The system is able to automatically generate real-time lightning monitoring image,lightning animation,and lightning intensity zoning image,which contributes to the high accuracy of the calculation results and the efficiency of data analysis.The paper also points out the deficiencies of software life cycle management and proposes actionable solutions.

Lightning Nowcasting with an Algorithm of Thunderstorm Tracking Based on Lightning Location Data over the Beijing Area

A thunderstorm tracking algorithm is proposed to nowcast the possibility of lightning activity over an area of concern by using the total lightning data and neighborhood technique.The lightning radiation sources observed from the Beijing Lightning Network(BLNET)were used to obtain information about the thunderstorm cells,which are significantly valuable in real-time.The boundaries of thunderstorm cells were obtained through the neighborhood technique.After smoothing,these boundaries were used to track the movement of thunderstorms and then extrapolated to nowcast the lightning approaching in an area of concern.The algorithm can deliver creditable results prior to a thunderstorm arriving at the area of concern,with accuracies of 63%,80%,and 91%for lead times of 30,15,and 5 minutes,respectively.The real-time observations of total lightning appear to be significant for thunderstorm tracking and lightning nowcasting,as total lightning tracking could help to fill the observational gaps in radar reflectivity due to the attenuation by hills or other obstacles.The lightning data used in the algorithm performs well in tracking the active thunderstorm cells associated with lightning activities.

Estimation of Lightning-Generated NO_(x) in the Mainland of China Based on Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Location Data

Lightning-generated nitrogen oxides(LNO_(x))have a major influence on the atmosphere and global climate change.Therefore,it is of great importance to obtain a more accurate estimation of LNO_(x).The aim of this study is to provide a reference for the accurate estimation of the total LNO_(x) in the mainland of China based on cloud-to-ground lightning(CG)location data from 2014 to 2018.The energy of each CG flash was based on the number of return strokes per CG flash,the peak current of each return stroke,and the assumed CG breakdown voltage.The energy of intracloud lightning(IC)was based on the estimated frequencies of IC and the assumed energy of each IC flash.Combining the energy of lightning and the number of nitric oxide(NO)molecules produced by unit energy(ρno),the total LNO_(x) production in the mainland of China was determined.The LNO_(x) in the mainland of China estimated in this study is in the range(0.157-0.321)×10^(9) kg per year[Tg(N)yr-1],which is on the high end of other scholars’works.Negative cloud-to-ground lightning(NCG)flashes produce the most moles of NO_(x),while positive cloud-to-ground lightning(PCG)flashes produce the least total moles of NO_(x).The breakdown voltage of PCG is greater than that of IC or NCG,while the latter has a greater output of LNO_(x).

Characteristics of Cloud-to-ground Lightning during a Squall Line Process outside of the Subtropical High

Based on the monitoring data of cloud-to-ground( CG) lightning positioning network and Doppler weather radar as well as MICAPS1°× 1° objective analysis field,a squall line process outside of the subtropical high in low-latitude plateau on May 7,2010 was analyzed. The results showed that wind direction shear between low and high levels and low-level convergence zones provided favorable circulation background for the strong thunderstorm process,while high energy and high humidity,strong thermal instability and ascending motion at low and middle levels offered beneficial environmental conditions for the formation of the thunderstorm. 9 620 return strokes of cloud-to-ground lightning were monitored by the lightning positioning network,and cloud-to-ground lightning was distributed like bands between 584 and 586 hP a. The occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning was mainly related to echo top and echo intensity at-10 ℃ stratification height,and it mainly appeared in zones where echo top height was larger than 13 km and echo intensity at-10 ℃ stratification height was 35-40 dB Z. Wind convergence and maintaining of high radial velocity were favorable for the development of convective echoes and occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning.

Study on the Scope of Small Amplitude of Cloud-to-ground Lightning in Lightning Weather Monitoring

Based on lightning location data in Chongqing region during 1999-2008,the frequency of lightning in various amplitude ranges and its annual variations were analyzed firstly.Afterwards,with the aid of matlab mathematical software,the distribution of the lightning location data was fitted using logarithmic normal distribution function.The results showed that after data of cloud-to-ground lightning with current amplitude from-5 to5 kA were deleted from lightning location data,the statistical characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning could be reflected well.Meanwhile,lightning with current amplitude from-5 to 5 kA accounted for 1.05%（less than 2%）,which accorded with the detection principle of lightning position indicator（there existed error detection）.Therefore,cloud-to-ground lightning with current amplitude of-5-5 kA in lightning location data of Chongqing region was defined as small amplitude of cloud-to-ground lightning,which could provide scientific references for the processing of lightning location data in Chongqing region as well as analysis and quality control of lightning location data in other regions.

Revision of CG Flash Density Based on Lightning Location Data

Using the data of the Lightning Location System( LLS) over Hubei Province,through the analysis of the distribution characteristics of CG( Cloud-to-Ground) flash density in 2015,it was found that the layout of the detection station had influence on the spatial distribution of lightning.Grid CG flash density data were used to characterize the spatial distribution of the CG flash,and station distance factor was used to characterize the detection station layout. The result showed that there existed negative correlation between density and factor,significant correlation between the density component and the factor for the lightning current amplitude of 5 to 30 kA,and insignificant correlation between >30 kA of density component and factor. So it is necessary to revise the density to eliminate the influence of the station layout. On the basis of the linear regression method and its residual theory,the revision model of the grid CG flash density and the statistical model of relative detection efficiency were established. The result consistency of segment and non-segmented revision of the density was verified. Through the contrastive analysis of theoretical detection efficiency and relative detection efficiency,the feasibility for revision method of CG flash density and the statistical method of relative detection efficiency was also verified.

Error Correction of Lightning Location Data

[ Objective] The study aimed to correct error of lightning location data with small amplitude. [ Method] Using the curve fitting toolbox of matlab mathematical software, the distribution of lightning location data in Chongqing during 1999 -2008 was fitted based on logarithmic normal distribution function, and the specific characters of lightning data with current amplitude from -10 to 10 kA were analyzed. [ Result] During 1999 - 2008, the frequency of lightning with current amplitude from -10 to 10 kA in Chongqing City accounted for 4.93% of total frequency, while the fre- quency of lightning with current amplitude from -5 to 5 kA accounted for only 1.27%, lower than 2%, according with the conventional deletion proportion in China. Lightning data with current amplitude from -5 to 5 kA caused a great disturbance to the fitting effect, so the fitting effect was the best after these lightning data was deleted. After the lightning location system of Chongqing City was upgraded in 2005, the frequency of lightning with current amplitude from -10 to 10 kA decreased, and there were obvious changes in the frequency of lightning with current amplitude from -10 to -5 kA and from 5 to 10 kA, while the frequency of lightning with current amplitude from -5 to 5 kA was small and stable, so these data could be deleted. [Conclusion] The research could provide theoretical references for error correction of lightning location data with small amplitude in Chongqing City.

LLSDA: Design and Implementation of Lightning Location Data Analysis and Visualization

Visualizing lightning location data is necessary in analyzing and researching lightning activity patterns.This article uses C#and the cross-platform.NET framework to develop a lightning location data analysis class library and the data-driven client to help lightning researchers improve work efficiency by avoiding repeated wheel invention.Lightning Location System Data Analyzer(LLSDA)is a suite of software tools that includes a.NET class library for software developers and a desktop application for end users.It supports a wide range of lightning location data formats,such as the University of Washington Global Lightning Location System(WWLLN)and Beijing Huayun Dongfang ADTD Lightning Location System data format,and maintains scalability.The class library can easily read,parse,and analyze lightning location data,and combined with third-party frameworks can realize grid analysis.The desktop application can be combined with MeteoInfo(a GIS open-source project)for secondary development.

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Lightning Activity in Ulanqab City

From January 2020 to December 2021,Ulanqab Meteorological Bureau of Inner Mongolia used VLF/LF lightning locator to carry out three-dimensional lightning monitoring in Ulanqab City,and compared with ADTD lightning location data in the same period.The results show that both VLF/LF lightning locator and ADTD lightning locator had excellent monitoring ability for lightning during flood season in Ulanqab.VLF/LF lightning locator was slightly superior to ADTD lightning locator in observation accuracy,the observation ability of low-current cloud-to-ground lightning,intracloud lightning observation and so on.There were obvious temporal and spatial characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning during flood season in Ulanqab,and there was a certain correlation between the areas where lightning appeared frequently and surface water.Intracloud lightning was mainly concentrated at a height of 1-7 km.Negative cloud-to-ground lightning accounted for about 75%of total cloud-to-ground lightning,and negative intracloud lightning accounted for 39%of total intracloud lightning.

应用脉冲回波的避雷线断线检测系统研究

为高效率、低成本地检测风力发电机组桨叶避雷线断线位置,设计基于脉冲回波的避雷线断线检测系统。该系统以单端行波法为原理,由信号发生模块,传感器模块,信号采集模块、控制器模块四部分构成。信号发生模块负责产生行波脉冲信号,传感器模块负责采集回波信号,信号采集模块负责将采集到的回波信号处理转化送给控制模块,控制模块负责分析回波信号,判断故障类型和故障点位置。该文对各个模块的电路和性能参数进行设计,搭建整体的检测系统。经实验验证,该系统可以精准的实现断线判断,并获得断线位置,测量误差精确到0.5 m以内。

基于归闪的湖北省两套闪电定位系统对比分析

为研究湖北省两套闪电定位系统,在归闪的基础上研究分析了2015—2020年湖北地区地闪数据,对闪电频次、时空分布、电流强度月分布、雷电流幅值累积概率等主要参数进行了比对分析,研究结果表明:ADTD-2系统在定位正地闪强度存在局部异常值外,比ADTD-1系统具有更高的探测效率,其中正地闪的探测效率比负地闪提升幅度更高,探测负地闪回击的时间分辨率也比ADTD-1系统高,ADTD-2闪电数据整体优于ADTD-1数据。

雷击故障下的分布式故障监测装置定位精度测试方法

分布式故障监测装置广泛应用于输电线路的故障定位领域,而产品质量参差不齐,部分厂家仅通过行波电流或者工频电流的变化进行故障定位,定位精度存在较大问题。为此,该文提出了一种兼顾行波电流和工频电流模态变化的测试方法。首先,开展了行波电流和工频电流波形的时序逻辑设计,并提出了精度测试的方法。然后,基于仿真和试验方法,对电流探头进行了选型设计。最后,研制了分布式故障监测装置测试系统,并完成了测试精度的影响因素研究。研究结果表明:测试过程中,雷击故障过渡时长小于1个周波,基本实现雷击故障波形时序的复现;电流探头A621和TRCP3000可配合进行测试,基本满足10~1000A行波电流测量的要求;两路雷电流波前时间差范围为1~100μs,实现了故障点位置的随机设定;db1测试精度优于db4,db4小波系数的鲁棒性优于db1,当信噪比大于20dB时,即可满足测试标准的要求。该研究结果可为分布式故障监测装置雷击故障下的定位精度改善提供技术支撑。

全并联AT牵引供电系统雷击故障测距多路径行波算法研究

针对AT变压器和并联结构导致行波传播路径复杂,行波波头性质难以有效识别和行波色散现象,线路频变参数特性导致波速不稳定的问题,提出一种基于多路径行波测距方法。基于上下行电流行波传播的差异性,利用电流相似度识别故障区段。探讨全并联AT牵引网结构对行波传播特性的影响,并对电流、电压行波传播路径进行标定。基于多路径电流、电压行波极性分析,筛选出用于故障测距的多路径行波,以推导出消去波速的测距方程。仿真表明:所提测距方法可以有效识别波头性质,且计算故障距离基本与波速无关,不受牵引网区段长度、结构影响。

结合闪电定位数据分析北京市同时间点几起雷击事故

准确及时的灾害调查事故分析有助于人们更好地了解雷击途径和方式。结合闪电定位资料,分析某区域的雷电概率分布,可判断并认识雷电导致灾害的规律性,便于采取更有效的防护措施。通过对2022年5月24日北京市东城区同时间节点的三起雷击事故的详细分析,还原雷击过程,探究导致雷击的原因,提出相关解决方案,从而减少或避免以后类似雷电灾害事故的发生。对北京市东城区和西城区近年来的雷击数据统计分析发现,总的落雷走向大多在古河道或大致水位线,因潮湿或水位高,其建筑物下的土壤电阻率较小。尤其在北侧护城河一带每年都会或多或少地发生雷击事故。以上这些雷击规律虽是北京城区的,但颇具普遍性,因而对防雷、防火很有参考价值。城区周边的现代建筑和各古建筑物的雷电灾害防护要引起足够重视,对其进行定期全面的防雷检测是必要的。