Experimental study of hydrodynamic behavior and breakup of liquid jet with and without Electric field

In this study, the hydrodynamic behavior of fluid jet with/without application of electric field was studied and the effects of electric field intensity and direction on instability and breakup of jet were investigated experimentally. Results show that the characteristics of free falling jets depend on Reynolds number. Furthermore, jet mean diameter and its breakup length in this type of jets are directly related to Reynolds number. Electric field increases the jet mean diameter in the downstream region of electrodes and decreases the breakup length. Increase in electric field intensity shortens the breakup length and direct field is more effective on this area in comparison with reverse one. Applying a 6 kV electric potential difference, the upper jet breakup length can be reduced by 27% in comparison with neutral case. The standard deviation of produced droplets’ size for neutral case and reverse electric field, generated by 2kV, are equal to 1.3 and 1.1 respectively which indicates a more uniform droplets’ generation in the presence of reverse electric field. Considering the roundness of various generated droplets, it can be concluded that applying the electric field enhances the production of round droplets and reduces the number of irregular droplets.