Investigation of electrostatic-assisted ultrasonic atomization and spraying

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2024-02, Vol.130 (11-12), p.6059-6071
• Main Authors: Yang, Yue, Yuan, Songmei, Zhang, Zikang, Lu, Tie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air flow; Atomizing; CAE) and Design; Capillary waves; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Electric contacts; Electric fields; Engineering; Image processing; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Original Article; Particle size; Simulation; Spraying; Static electricity; Surface properties; Surface roughness
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-023-12912-x

Ultrasonic atomization technology has recently been widely used in industry due to its higher atomization efficiency. This paper proposes a method of electrostatic-assisted ultrasonic atomization spraying and designs a particular ultrasonic power supply that can directly introduce high-voltage static electricity onto the surface of the ultrasonic atomization so that the liquid can contact the charge and enhance the charging effect. This paper conducts numerical simulation analysis on the atomization process and statistically analyzes the numerical simulation atomization particle size through image processing. In addition, this paper designs experiments from two aspects of atomization particle size and film-forming effect. The results show that the experimental results are consistent with the numerical simulation results, verifying the accuracy of the numerical simulation results. It shows that in sub-droplet formation, introducing static electricity will increase the number of capillary waves, promote two mechanisms of the capillary pinch-off mechanism and the Rayleigh-plain instability, reduce atomization particle size, and increase atomization efficiency. Compared with the traditional airflow beam method, the film-forming surface quality of the electric field beam method is higher, and the surface roughness is lower. It solves the problem that airflow affects film-forming quality in traditional ultrasonic spraying with the airflow beam method. It provides a theoretical basis and scientific guidance for applying electrostatic-assisted ultrasonic atomization technology in the atomization and film preparation industry.