Electrically Induced Dielectric Liquid Film Flow Based on Electric Conduction Phenomenon

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping is associated with the heterocharge layers of finite thickness in the vicinity of the electrodes, generated by the process of dissociation of the neutral electrolytic species and recombination of the generated ions. The theoretical formulation for EHD conduction pumping of liquid film is presented and fundamentally analyzed with the aid of numerical solutions. This model includes fluid dynamics governing equations under laminar and isothermal conditions which are modified to account for the presence of electric body force. The model also includes charge transport equations which are related to the dissociation/recombination phenomenon along with Maxwell's relations that govern the electric field distribution. This paper determines how liquid film flow is generated based on the electric conduction phenomenon. Specifically, the role of controlling dimensionless parameters on the heterocharge layers and flow structures along with the impact of liquid film velocity on charge distribution are illustrated and fundamentally analyzed. In addition, the contribution of unique electrode designs toward electric body force distribution and flow pattern is investigated followed by the effect of interaction between adjacent electrode pairs in multi-pair configurations on generated flow rate. Further, a brief discussion of the conduction pumping efficiency is presented. Finally, the numerical results are verified against experimental data.