Modeling multi-jet mode electrostatic atomization using boundary element methods

A two-dimensional, nonlinear model has been developed to assess the dynamics of charged liquid columns. The model, which is based on the boundary element method (BEM), has been used to investigate oscillations and instabilities of single and multi-column configurations. For the single-column configuration, oscillation frequencies have been determined for a range of charge and initial distortion levels. In addition, simulations of unstable jets have been conducted; these results show a “spiked” behavior at the pinching event. An energy-based analysis has been used to determine maximum voltages for stable configurations with a given number of ligaments. These results are compared against experimental data.