PARTICLE AND DROPLET TRAJECTORIES IN A NONLINEAR ELECTRICAL-FIELD

In this paper we describe a new approach in which finite element analy sis is applied to predict charged particle trajectories in a liquid co ntinuum across which a non-linear electrical field is applied. The equ ations of motion and equations describing the distribution of the elec trical field in the entire contactor are solved simultaneously and thu s yield the trajectories of individual particles emerging from a singl e charged nozzle. The predictions are compared with experimentally det ermined trajectories and good agreement is demonstrated. The work is r egarded as a starting point for the quantitative description of charge d droplet motion in a liquid-liquid contactor and the associated predi ction of droplet hold-up and mass transfer using a similar approach. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.