Electrostatic charging of water spray by induction

Abstract

Results of experimental investigation of electric charging of water spray produced by several commercially available single-fluid pressure swirl atomizers, with cylinder induction electrode are presented in this paper. The process of induction charging of water spray is analysed in terms of specific charge and droplet size distribution, for water flow rate, water pressure, induction electrode voltage and inter-electrode distance as process variables. It was found that the specific charge of water droplets increases with increasing voltage applied to the induction electrode, but only to a certain voltage magnitude. The decrease in the specific charge for higher voltages is caused by corona discharge from the induction electrode and the shielding effect of space charge due to electric field produced by the charged droplets. The optimal inter-electrode distance maximizing the specific charge was determined for each of the tested nozzles.