Numerical Simulation of a Non-Newtonian Droplet under an Electric Field

In this research, the deformation of a non-Newtonian leaky-dielectric droplet suspended in another non-Newtonian fluid under a uniform electric field is simulated. The aim of this research is the studying the effect of the electric field on the hydrodynamic of non-Newtonian droplets and also the comparison between the behavior of Newtonian and non-Newtonian droplets in the presence of an electric field. The power law model is used to describe non-Newtonian fluid behavior. The level set method is employed to determine the location of the interface. Also, the ghost fluid method is used to apply discontinuities at the interface. By applying an electric field, a non-Newtonian droplet deforms similarly to a Newtonian one. This deformation may occur either in the direction of the electric field or perpendicular to it. By increasing the electric Capillary number (ratio of electric force to surface tension force) the deformation of the non-Newtonian droplet with different power law constants increases. In this research, the behavior of different non-Newtonian droplets with different power constants was compared and it was observed that by an increase in the power law constant the drop deformation increases. According to the results, the deformation of a shear-thinning droplet under an electric field is less than the deformation of a Newtonian droplet and the deformation of a Newtonian droplet is less than the deformation of a shear thickening droplet.