Computed Performance Characteristics of Electrofluid Dynamic Colloid Generators

Abstract

The effects of the electric breakdown limitation on the power output of an electrofluid dynamic generator operating with colloids are studied. The study is performed for both an axisymmetric cylinder of charge and a two-dimensional (Cartesian) slab of charge between infinite, plane, parallel electrodes. The ratio of radius to length or width to length varies from zero to infinity, thus both the so-called slender channels (reference [9]) and broad channels (reference [2]) as well as the intermediate geometries are studied. Normalized power (the value of which is basically limited by electric breakdown) is presented as a function of normalized gas velocity and normalized applied voltage. Also presented is a normalized power per unit mass flow rate as a function of the normalized velocity and voltage. A single chart is sufficient to cover all geometries because the normalized power includes a geometric factor which can be determined from an auxiliary curve to account for the particular geometry.