Computer simulation of EHD flows in a needle-plane electrode system

Complex investigation of the structure of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flows in a needle-plane electrode system is carried out on the basis of analysis of experimental data and the results of computer simulation. An algorithm of iterative simulation of the volume charge distribution in a fluid is developed. Simulation is carried out using the ANSYS system. The fields of velocities and pressures, as well as electric characteristics of EHD flows, are calculated. Analysis of the results reveals a number of features of EHD flows in the electrode system under investigation. Peculiarities of the band structure are determined, and the characteristic size of the low-pressure zone near the active electrode, as well as the sizes of the acceleration and deceleration zones of the fluid in the electrode gap, is determined.     

EHD kelvin-helmholtz instability in viscous porous medium permeated with suspended particles

The electrohydrodynamic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of the plane interface between two uniform, superposed viscous and streaming dielectric fluids permeated with suspended particles through porous medium is considered under the influence of a tangential electric field. In the absence of surface tension, it is found that perturbations transverse to the direction of streaming are unaffected by the presence of both streaming and the tangential electric field, if perturbations in the direction of streaming are ignored. For perturbations in all other directions there exists instability for a certain wavenumber range. In the presence of surface tension, it is found that the instability of this system is suppressed by the presence of the tangential electric field. Both the tangential electric field and the surface tension have stabilizing effects and they are able to suppress Kelvin-Helmholtz instability for small wavelength perturbations. The medium porosity reduces the stability range given in terms of a difference in streaming velocities and the electric field effect, while the suspended particles do not affect the above results.     

Gas-discharge system with a zeolite electrode

A zeolite plate with push contacts is placed in a chamber filled with air at a controllable pressure, and the current-voltage characteristics of the zeolite plate are measured as a function of the air pressure in the chamber. It is found that the gas in zeolite pores ionizes and, accordingly, the number of electrons in the pores grows. It is shown that such a plate used as a cathode in a planar gas-discharge cell considerably reduces the ignition voltage of the gas discharge.     

Novel low voltage EHD spray nozzle for atomization of water in the cone jet mode

Due to the high surface tension and high conductivity, water is unsuitable for electrohydrodynamic (EHD) atomization using a DC electric field in air. The high local electric field, that is required to atomize water, is likely to generate corona discharge and consequently destabilize the atomization process. This study describes a novel low voltage EHD spray nozzle that can be used to atomize water and weak saline solutions in the stable cone jet mode. The properties of the atomization have been investigated together with the generated droplet size distribution. The nozzle operates at very low flow rates (0.5–4.0 μl/min). Due to the high dielectric constant of water and the low flow rate, the atomization takes place outside the applicability range of the scaling laws. The experimental results show that the droplet size is approximately constant when the flow rate is increased from 0.5 to 4.0 μl/min. The atomization of water was numerically simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The simulation results agree reasonably well with the experimental results with respect to the liquid cone shape and droplet size.     

Impulse breakdown characteristics of the plane-to-plane electrode system with a needle-shaped protrusion in SF6

This paper presents the impulse pre-breakdown and breakdown characteristics of the plane-to-plane electrode system with a needle-shaped protrusion in SF₆ gas. The breakdown voltage–time (V–t) characteristics and the breakdown voltage–gas pressure (V–p) characteristics of a highly non-uniform SF₆ gas gap under positive and negative lightning impulse voltages are investigated in the pressure range between 0.1 and 0.5 MPa. The pre-breakdown developments are examined by the corona current and light emission measurements with high time resolution. As a result, the dielectric strengths versus time-to-breakdown of SF₆ gas gap under positive lightning impulse voltages were nearly independent of the gas pressure. The first streamer corona was initiated at the tip of the needle electrode, and the streamer corona pulses developed with a stepwise propagation. The discharge paths were zigzag, and the branches of the discharge channel for positive polarity were created. On the other hand, the leader channel in the negative polarity was thicker and brighter than that in the positive polarity.     

EHD flow measured by 3D PIV in a narrow electrostatic precipitator with longitudinal-to-flow wire electrode and smooth or flocking grounded plane electrode

In this work, results of three-dimensional (3D) Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow velocity fields in a narrow electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with a longitudinal-to-flow placed wire electrode are presented. The ESP was a narrow transparent acrylic box (90 mm×30 mm×30 mm). The electrode set consisted of a single wire discharge electrode and two plane collecting electrodes. Either two smooth stainless-steel plates or two stainless-steel plane meshes with nylon flocks were used as the collecting electrodes. The 3D PIV measurements were carried out in two parallel planes, placed longitudinally to the flow duct. The positive DC voltage of up to 9.5 kV was applied to the wire electrode through a 10 MΩ resistor. The collecting electrodes were grounded. The measurements were carried out at a primary flow velocity of 0.5 m/s. Obtained results show that the flow patterns for the smooth-plate electrodes and for the flocking plane electrodes are similar in the bulk of the flow. However, the flow velocities near the flocking plane electrodes are much lower than those near the smooth-plate electrodes. This is a beneficial phenomenon, because the lower the flow near the collecting electrodes, the lower re-entrainment of the particles deposited on the collecting electrodes occurs.     

Effect of emitting electrode number on the performance of EHD gas pump in a rectangular channel

Previous studies have shown that electric field in the form of corona wind can be used for gas pumping. It has also been shown that the maximal volume flow rate can be achieved by an optimal design and arrangement of electrode(s) involved. In this study, the number of emitting electrodes has been considered for its effects on the pump performance. To seek the relation between the electrode number and pump performance, an EHD gas pump with three configurations (4, 12, and 28 emitting electrodes) is critically evaluated by experimental measurements and numerical simulations.     

Electrical characteristics of electrostatic precipitator with a wet membrane-based collecting electrode

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) with the wet membrane-based collecting electrode play an important role on the flue gas cleaning process. However, the mechanism researches on the excellent collection efficiency of the membrane-based ESPs are insufficient. This paper aims at characterizing the excellent collection efficiency of the ESPs in the aspect of the electrical characteristics. The discharge current density and distribution of the metal and wet membranes collecting electrode were measured using the boundary probe method under different conditions. The differences of the discharge current density and distribution between the wet membranes collecting electrode and the metal one were discussed in detail. In addition, the effects of applied voltage, distance between the electrodes and discharge electrode construction on the difference of the discharge current density between the wet membranes electrode and the metal one were also presented. The results show that the discharge current density is strongly increased by the wet membranes electrode, the increased discharge current density is the main reason for the excellent collection efficiency of the membrane-based WESPs.     

Numerical investigation of using various electrode arrangements for amplifying the EHD enhanced heat transfer in a smooth channel

Forced convection heat transfer enhancement with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technique of turbulent flow inside a smooth channel has been numerically investigated. A two dimensional numerical approach has been chosen to evaluate the local and average heat transfer coefficient. In addition, the swirling flow pattern in the presence of an electric field has been studied. To achieve higher enhancement while using multiple electrodes, variety of electrode arrangements have been examined for specified values of Reynolds number, applied voltage, and wire radius. The results demonstrate that different electrode arrangements cause significant improvement of the heat transfer coefficient.     

Current-voltage characteristics of a reflex discharge with a hollow cathode and self-heating electrode

Results are presented from experimental studies of the current-voltage characteristics of a reflex discharge with a self-heating electrode used in a source of atomic hydrogen. The processes occurring in a discharge cell and governing the main features of the characteristics obtained are investigated theoretically. An explanation of the general features of the discharge is proposed. It is shown that an abrupt decrease in the discharge voltage with increasing hydrogen flow rate is associated with penetration of the plasma into the hollow cathode and the ignition of a hollow cathode discharge. It is demonstrated that, as the discharge current increases, the glow discharge gradually transforms into an arc discharge with a heated cathode.     

Nonequilibrium tricritical point in a system with long-range interactions

Systems with long-range interactions display a short-time relaxation towards quasistationary states whose lifetime increases with system size. With reference to the Hamiltonian mean field model, we here show that a maximum entropy principle, based on Lynden-Bell's pioneering idea of "violent relaxation," predicts the presence of out-of-equilibrium phase transitions separating the relaxation towards homogeneous (zero magnetization) or inhomogeneous (nonzero magnetization) quasistationary states. When varying the initial condition within a family of "water bags" with different initial magnetization and energy, first- and second-order phase transition lines are found that merge at an out-of-equilibrium tricritical point. Metastability is theoretically predicted and numerically checked around the first-order phase transition line.     

Fabrication of ordered porous silicon nanowires electrode modified with palladium-nickel nanoparticles and electrochemical characteristics in direct alkaline fuel cell of carbohydrates

A Pd-Ni nanoparticle modified silicon-based anode is fabricated and the possibility of using it for the direct alkaline fuel cell of carbohydrates has been investigated by electrochemical method. Upright and porous ordered silicon nanowires (SiNWs) arrays are prepared by wet etching. The Pd-Ni nanoparticles are covered to the SiNWs uniformly by chemical deposited successively. Using six kinds of common carbohydrate, including glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, and starch, as testing subjects, the performance of electrocatalytic oxidation is studied. Experiment results show that the electrochemically active surface area of Pd-Ni/SiNWs electrode electrochemically active surface area is 53.482 cm², and higher electrocatalytic activity and stability is displayed for the direct oxidation of glucose, fructose, maltose, and lactose. Firstly, the Pd-Ni/SiNWs electrode has better electrochemical performance for carbohydrates and is promising for applications in direct alkaline fuel. Secondly, more kinds of carbohydrates might potentially use as energy source for direct alkaline fuel.     

Current-voltage characteristics for a Peierls-conducting point contact

Current-voltage (J-V) and differential-conductivity-voltage ( dJ/dV-V) characteristics are analytically calculated at zero temperature for a point contact consisting of: two Peierls conductors P ( = 1, 2) separated by an insulator (I). Here P is a conductor with charge density wave (CDW). The J-V and dJ/dV-V characteristics depend on the CDW phases ( = 1, 2) in the mean field approximation. To calculate them analytically we assumed, = ≡Δ where ( = 1, 2) are the energy gaps of P ( = 1, 2). The current J has a discontinuous jump at eV = 2Δ for ϕ ₁ = ϕ ₂≠ 0. The differential conductivity dJ/dV has a singularity at eV = 2Δ for ϕ ₁ = ϕ ₂≠ 0. The relation J(V,ϕ ₁,ϕ ₂) = - J(- V,ϕ ₁ + π,ϕ ₂ + π) is obtained. Received 4 July 2001 and Received in final form 13 September 2001     

Variations in the point spread function characteristics of wavelengths for a wavefront coding imaging system

The point spread function (PSF) characteristics of wavelengths for a wavefront coding imaging system are investigated. Although the phase delayed by the mask changes with wavelength, the shape of the PSF is nearly invariant with respect to wavelength. However, the position of the PSF shifts with axial chromatic aberration. If the wideband light is separated into several channels and separated channel images are restored using the same filter, then color traces may be observed in the recombined color images.     

Electrical characteristics of metal-dielectric-semiconductor structures with silicon nitride prepared by reactive cathode atomization

The effect of the technology of preparation of silicon nitride in a low temperature gas discharge plasma upon the volt-ampere and volt-farad characteristics of metal-dielectricsemiconductor (MDS) structures (Al-Si₃N₄-Si-Al) is studied. It is shown that by using a heterogeneous Si₃N₄ formation reaction with ionic purification of the silicon surface, it is possible to obtain MDS structures with lower and more stable surface charge in comparison to similar structures in which the Si₃N₄ is grown by other methods (for example, gas transport reaction methods). The conductivity of the Si₃N₄ film is described approximately by the well known Frankel model, and its value is close to that of Si₃N₄ films prepared by other methods.     

Acoustical characteristics of porous materials

The diversity of porous materials is noted. However, this study is particularly relevant to the use of sound absorbent materials in architectural acoustics. The theory of sound propagation within an idealised porous material consisting of a rigid matrix through which run parallel cylindrical pores normal to the surface is reviewed. Extensions to pores of arbitrary orientation and cross-section are achieved by introducing physically-measura ble microstructural constants rather than phenomenological bulk parameters that might be frequency dependent. By comparison of several theories that account for sound propagation within an elastically-framed porous material a basis is laid for an improved formulation, that takes into account both viscosity and heat conduction.The application of various propagation theories to model the reflection and transmission of sound at porous boundaries is considered. Particular attention is paid to the common assumption of local reaction and to the adequacy of modelling the porous interface as that of a quasi-homogeneous fluid. Finally the most widely used methods of measuring acoustical characteristics of porous materials at normal and oblique incidence and of obtaining their values by empirical means are surveyed.     

Current-voltage characteristics of structures with a porous silicon layer at adsorption of carbon monoxide

The current-voltage characteristics of structures with a layer of porous silicon of 73% porosity were measured at adsorption of gas (carbon monoxide) at room temperature. Estimations are performed of the height of potential heterobarrier at the interface between porous silicon and p ⁺-type single-crystal silicon, of the perfectness factor and the resistance of a layer of porous silicon in air, in air with 0.4% CO, and in air with 2% CO. Physical causes explaining the experimental data are discussed.     

Separation characteristics of alcohol from aqueous solution by ultrasonic atomization

The generation rate of ultrasonically atomized droplets and the alcohol concentration in droplets were estimated by measuring the flow rate and the alcohol concentration of vapors from a bulk solution with a fountain. The effect of the alcohol concentration in the bulk solution on the generation rate of droplets and the alcohol concentration in droplets were investigated. The ultrasonic frequency was 2.4 MHz, and ethanol and methanol aqueous solutions were used as samples. The generation rate of droplets for ethanol was smaller than that for methanol at the same alcohol molar fraction in the bulk solution. For both solutions, at low alcohol concentration in the bulk solution, the alcohol concentration in droplets was lower than that in vapors and the atomized droplets were visible. On the other side, at high concentration, the concentration in droplets exceeded that in vapors and the atomized droplets became invisible. These results could be explained that the alcohol-rich clusters in the bulk solution were preferentially atomized by ultrasonic irradiation. The concentration in droplets for ethanol was higher than that for methanol at low alcohol concentration because the amount of alcohol-rich clusters was larger. When the alcohol molar fraction was greater than 0.6, the atomized droplets almost consisted of pure alcohol.     

Poly(3-methylthiophene)-based porous silicon substrates as a urea-sensitive electrode

Poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT)-based porous silicon (PS) substrates were fabricated and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and auger electron spectroscopy. After doping urease (Urs) into the polymeric matrix, sensitivity and physicochemical properties of the P3MT-based PS substrate was investigated compared to planar silicon (PLS) and bulk Pt substrates. PS substrate was formed by electrochemical anodization in an etching solution composed of HF, H₂O, and ethanol. Subsequently, Ti and Pt thin-films were sputtered on the PS substrate. Effective working electrode area (A_eff) of the Pt-deposited PS substrate was determined from a redox reaction of Fe(CN)₆³⁻/Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻ redox couple in which nearly reversible cyclic voltammograms were obtained. The i_p versus v^1/2 plots showed that A_eff of the PS-based Pt thin-film electrode was 1.62 times larger than that of the PLS-based electrode.Electropolymerization of P3MT on both types of electrodes were carried out by the anodic potential scanning under the given potential range. And then, urease molecules were doped to the P3MT film by the chronoamperometry. Direct electrochemistry of a Urs/P3MT/Pt/Ti/PS electrode in an acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 mol/L NaClO₄ was introduced compared to a P3MT/Pt/Ti/PS electrode at scan rates of 10 mV s⁻¹, 50 mV s⁻¹, and 100 mV s⁻¹.Amperometric sensitivity of the Urs/P3MT/Pt/Ti/PS electrode was ca. 1.67 μA mM⁻¹ per projected unit square centimeter, and that of the Urs/P3MT/Pt/Ti/PLS electrode was ca. 1.02 μA mM⁻¹ per projected unit square centimeter in a linear range of 1-100 mM urea concentrations. 1.6 times of sensitivity increase was coincident with the results from cyclic voltammetrc analysis.Surface morphology from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of Pt-deposited PS electrodes before and after the coating of Urs-doped P3MT films showed that pore diameter and depth were 2 μm and 10 μm, respectively. Multilayered-film structures composed of metals and organics for both electrodes were also confirmed by auger electron spectroscopy (AES) depth profiles.     

Electrical and transient atomization characteristics of a pulsed charge injection atomizer using electrically insulating liquids

Charge injection atomizers are energy efficient devices that can be used in order to promote the atomization of dielectric liquids, and a potential application of such devices is fine spray delivery in small internal combustion engines. The operation of a pulsed charge injection atomization system operating at practical engine frequencies under a high voltage pulse train has not been well recorded in the literature. This initial investigation defines the electrical and transient global atomization performance of a charge injection atomizer operating under a steady flow regime, but with a typical high voltage pulse train. Results show that voltage-current characteristics follow similar trends to that of a steady flow, steady voltage system, and observation of the data also reveals that output current waveforms depend on the input pulse train frequency. No degradation in charging efficiency was observed at higher frequencies, which suggests that a charge injection atomizer can operate efficiently at practical engine speeds. Photographs also confirmed the high voltage pulse train injects charge that produces sections of primary atomization on the continuous liquid jet.