Modeling multi-jet mode electrostatic atomization using boundary element methods

A two-dimensional, nonlinear model has been developed to assess the dynamic s of charged liquid columns. The model, which is based on the boundary elem ent method (BEM), has been used to investigate oscillations and instabiliti es of single and multi-column configurations. For the single-column configu ration, oscillation frequencies have been determined for a range of charge and initial distortion levels. In addition, simulations of unstable jets ha ve been conducted; these results show a "spiked" behavior at the pinching e vent. An energy-based analysis has been used to determine maximum voltages for stable configurations with a given number of ligaments. These results a re compared against experimental data. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.