Primary atomization of electrified water sprays

This study reports experimental results on the primary jet breakup parameters of three hollow cone hydraulic spray nozzles electrified by induction. While former evidence indicated that the properties of sprayed droplets are scarcely affected by induction charging, we found that an increase in charging potential from 0kV to -10kV led to a reduction of breakup length and an increase of spray angle. For charging potential from -10kV and -12kV both the parameters reached asymptotic levels. As for electrosprays, we argue that jet breakup reduction modifications depend on the establishment of electrical stresses over the water sheet, while spray angle enlargements depend on the repulsion forces caused by induced charges. In most of the cases, these modifications are not sufficient to change the secondary atomization regime, but they severely affect the charging level of sprayed droplets.