Convergence and disintegration of liquid jets induced by an electrostatic field

Abstract

Liquid jets are formed by application of an electrostatic field to insulating liquids, which are prepared to have specific conductivities of 10−12–10−7 Ω−1 cm−1 with the ionic additive and viscosity of 0.73–10.2 cP with the silicone intermediate. Convergence of the jets is studied in relation to the specific conductivity. Liquids with specific conductivities between 10−10 and 10−7 Ω−1 cm−1 form fine threads of liquid followed by successive disintegration to many fine droplets. Contribution of the charge term to the disintegration is estimated to be negligible in the axisymmetric mode of disturbance. The explanation is supported by the fact that the measured drop frequency is very well correlated with the theoretical result by Weber, who analyzed the distintegration process in terms of surface tension and viscosity. The coefficient of correlation is 0.98, and the gradient of regression line is 0.97.