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A novel annular slit-type emitter developed for multi-jet electrospray propulsion.
- Source :
-
Physics of Fluids . Feb2024, Vol. 36 Issue 2, p1-16. 16p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Electrospray thrusters employ ionization in the liquid phase to produce and propel streams of molecular ions or highly charged droplets at significant velocities. In this study, we developed a novel annular slit-type emitter for electrospray and investigated its operational modes under varying applied potentials in both open atmosphere and vacuum conditions. To assess the performance of the annular slit-type emitter in comparison to the conventional capillary-type emitter, benchtop electrospray experiments were conducted using water and glycerin as working fluids for both emitter types. The study examined the formation of the Taylor cone, cone-to-jet transition, stable jet, whipping jet, and multi-jet, along with their dependence on fluid viscosity and electric potential for both emitter designs. Clear distinctions in hydrodynamic mode, drop-to-cone mode, and cone-to-jet transition mode were observed between the two emitters. As the electric potential increased, the capillary-type emitter exhibited a whipping and pulsating water jet, while glycerin displayed a steady tilted jet. In contrast, the annular slit-type emitter demonstrated a pulsating water jet followed by a distinctive dripping mode at higher electric potentials, while glycerin formed multiple steady jets around the annular slit. Notably, the annular slit-type emitter, when subjected to an 18.5 kV potential, produced seven electrospray jets for glycerin, a phenomenon attributed to the novel design of the emitter and the viscosity of glycerin enabling the generation of multiple cone-jets at a specific electrostatic potential around the slit peripheral meniscus. Vacuum chamber tests of the annular-type emitter using liquid indium as an ion source at 1×10−5 Torr revealed an ion-current density of 0.3 mA/mm, resulting in a thrust of 290 μN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10706631
- Volume :
- 36
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Physics of Fluids
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175796727
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0184472