Pumping of refrigerant liquid film with electrohydrodynamic induction pumping mechanism - Theoretical and experimental study

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) induction pumping is based on charges induced within a dielectric liquid and/or the interface of a liquid/vapor due to a gradient and/or discontinuity of the electric conductivity, respectively. A traveling electric wave attracts or repels these induced charges, leading to fluid motion. EHD induction pumping of a dielectric micro condensation film is investigated theoretically and experimentally in an external horizontal configuration. The impact of controlling parameters (voltage and frequency of the electric traveling wave, liquid film thickness) on the pumping behavior and heat transfer is analyzed. The induced pumping impacts the phase-change process, but it provides first and foremost a tool for effective flow management, which is of significant importance in such processes.