The EHD effects in asymmetric air gaps

In this work, the electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) mechanism, in the case of a thin wire parallel to a conducting cylinder of significantly larger diameter, has been studied. The wire-cylinder geometry may be used in a wide range of applications as a corona discharge generating pair, due to its simple structure and the highly inhomogeneous electric field that can be generated under high voltage direct current application, which, in turn, is capable of producing significant EHD flow in air. The physical phenomenon of the EHD flow has been studied through simulations, experiments and comparisons. The operational parameters, such as the electric field and potential distribution, in variously dimensioned electrode arrangements have been investigated, while their dependence on geometrical characteristics of the electrodes, such as the electrode length, the electrode gap and the emitter and collector electrode radii, has been examined. On this purpose, both computer modelling and experimental studies have been conducted.