Influence of electrode geometry on ion-drag pump static pressure

A research program aimed at developing an EHD pump for insulating liquids is in progress at the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Genova. The initial part of this program considered a single stage ion drag pump and was aimed at the optimization of the relevant electrodes (materials and geometry) and interelectrode gap to obtain a high hydrostatic pressure. The experimental data on three different technical grade liquid dielectrics (oils) are reported. They allow a comparison with two different theoretical pressure vs. voltage relations, due to Stuetzer and to Pickard, for each tested liquid. The general validity of such relations is discussed and questioned. The latter point and the experimental data here reported illustrate that, at present, it is necessary to introduce, early in the design process of this kind of EHD pumps, an experimental stage, specific to each liquid to be used.