Characterization of stability regimes of electrohydrodynamically enhanced atomization

A comparative analysis of the stability regimes of three different electrohydrodynamic atomization (electrospray) systems is presented. Availability of a high resolution imaging system allowed for a direct visualization of the breakup mechanisms. Both liquid flow rate and applied voltage are varied in a large grid of values in order to build up a database of the observable jet breakup regimes. The exploited conditions have been chosen with the purpose of evidencing the relative influences of geometrical, electrical and fluid_dynamical effects at various working conditions. Experimental results shed light on the complex interaction between the controlling parameters and resulted in the formulation of some necessary conditions for the occurrence of stable jet regimes. The final conclusion of the paper is the recognition of the actual limitation in the mass Row rate range where such regime can be stabilized. Nevertheless some suggestion comes for the exploitation of atomization condition different from the classical Taylor cone jet that could be successfully exploited either in combustion systems or other technological application. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.