Influence of a solid particle on the breakup of jet ejected from a nozzle

Since the principle of a cell sorter was originally developed as an ink jet recorder, we have developed the similar particle sorting device for the separation of spherical particles. In order to confine particles at the center of now, the coaxial flow arrangement was used. In our equipment, charged droplets are electrostatically deflected to six different positions. Thus, at maximum, six different sizes of particles can be separated into six different groups. The particle sizes actually investigated were 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 /spl mu/m. Experimental results reported before revealed that the separation of particles are quite successful, but not perfect. In order to clarity the causes of mis-separation, the mutual correlation of jet and a particle was investigated. It became clear that the particle inside the jet influences on the breakup position of natural jet, when the external vibration of the nozzle was off. The distance of breakup of natural jet became much shorter due to the existence of a particle inside the jet. Even if the external vibration was on, the existence of a particle inside jet also affected the breakup position.