Effects of the process parameters on the size distribution of taurine particles produced by nozzleless electrostatic atomization

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the size distribution of taurine particles produced by electrostatic atomization in a liquid–liquid two-phase system without using a nozzle was affected by the process parameters. A Taylor cone was observed to be formed at the liquid–liquid interface during the process, with many droplets ejected from the tip of the cone when ring and needle electrodes were used to apply the electric field perpendicularly to the interface. The droplet size was controlled by varying the angle of the Taylor cone between 60° and 75° through adjustment of the process parameters such as the inter-electrode distance, electrical conductivity of the water phase, and ring diameter. The effect of the ring electrode diameter on the electric field and the interface was examined by solving the Poisson equation. The established variability of the mean taurine particle diameter by adjusting the inter-electrode distance and conductivity of the solution phase can be used to achieve continuous production by avoiding clogging and electrical corrosion of the system.