Investigation of the Electrostatic Atomization Method for Remote Injection and High Pressure

Extensive studies were undertaken in order to better understand the operation of electrostatic atomizers used in conjunction with dielectric liquids. Electrical and spray characterization studies were conducted for steady-voltage charge injection atomizers. The experimental work was complemented by further investigations concentrating on the analysis of spray breakup mechanisms and droplet size measurements. A further stage was undertaken by considering electrostatic charge injection method to be a part of a different type of charge injection atomizer. In this system, the charge injection process was separated from the liquid atomization process. With this design, the charge injection system could be retrofitted to a range of existing atomization systems. This makes the electrostatic atomization method more universal. Through the initial experiments with a commercially available nozzle, it was demonstrated that the charged liquid was successfully carried to a different location and sprayed under certain conditions.Imaging studies proved the improvement in finer drop size and wider spray plume coverage. Electrostatic charge injection method was applied at high hydrodynamic pressures, up to 40 bar, to evaluate the electrical and atomization performance at elevated Reynolds number (Re). The main focus was to investigate the effect of electrostatic charging on higher pressure injection systems in order to form finer sprays. Laser Diffraction Spectrometry (LDS) measurements and imaging studies were performed to investigate the effect of the electrostatic charge injection technique on drop size distribution. It was observed that spray dispersion was enhanced and drop size could be reduced with the increase in specific charge.