Influence of a Perpendicular Electrostatic Field on Aerodynamic-Force-Induced Primary Disintegration of a Thin Plane Jet of Dielectric Liquid

Abstract

The disintegration of a plane nonconductive jet of a high-permittivity liquid has been studied. The jet moves with constant velocity in a gas that is quiescent at infinity in the presence of a perpendicular electrostatic field. Initially, the boundaries of the jet are parallel to each other. Its thickness is much smaller than the capillary constant. The gas density has been included into the list of governing parameters. The case has been considered when aerodynamic forces arising from wave disturbance of the gas–liquid interface make a greater contribution to the dynamics of the liquid than capillary forces. It has been shown that when the jet is aerodynamically unstable, the application of a perpendicular electric field with moderate intensity considerably decreases fragments of the jet after disintegration.