An Experimental Study of the Electrohydrodynamic Characteristics of Sedimenting Drops Under Uniform Alternating Electric Fields

Abstract

Electrohydrodynamic motion and deformation of a sedimenting drop in the presence of a uniform alternating electric field is investigated experimentally. Application of an electric field causes a drop to deform to an ellipsoidal shape. As a result of this deformation, the terminal velocity of the drop is affected. In this study, a detailed experimental investigation of the effect of a horizontally directed uniform alternating electric field on the sedimentation velocity and deformation characteristics of deionized water drop and silicone oil drop falling in castor oil medium is presented. Both water and silicone oil drops are found to deform to a prolate shape on application of electric field, which retards the drop motion in the vertical direction. There is a marked decrease in drop velocity with increase in strength of the alternating electric field.