Aerodynamic influences on droplet atomization in an electrostatic spray

To investigate aerodynamic influences on liquid atomization in an electrost atic spray, the diameter, velocity and velocity-size correlation characteri stics of droplets were simultaneously measured using phase Doppler techniqu es, The processes associated with the break-up of charged jets were also ob served using laser sheet flow visualization. Experiments were carried out u sing heptane, which was doped with an antistatic additive to enhance its el ectrical conductivity to that of a semiconductor. The electrostatic atomiza tion of the liquid depended primarily on the charging voltage, and the drop let size distribution was characterized by two peaks. Aerodynamic influence s on the atomization of the liquid in electrostatic sprays decreased with c harging voltage. The velocity-size correlation of droplets reflected the at omization mechanism.