Study of the transition from conduction to injection in an electrohydrodynamic flow in blade-plane geometry

Abstract

A dielectric fluid can be set into motion with the help of electric forces, mainly Coulomb force. This phenomenon, called electroconvection, can be induced by electrohydrodynamic conduction, injection, and induction. Conduction is based on the dissociation/recombination phenomenon, generates heterocharge layers, and occurs for low electric field values. Injection produces homocharge layers in the electrode vicinity and requires stronger electric fields to be initiated. This study is an experimental observation of the transition from conduction to injection of a dielectric liquid in blade-plane geometry using Particle Image Velocimetry. In addition, the electric current is measured to completely understand the flow behavior.