Pressure-Driven Operation of Microfabricated Multiplexed ElectroSprays of Ionic Liquid Solutions for Space Propulsion Applications

The performance of a Multiplexed ElectroSpray (MES) system for space propulsion is studied. The need for multiplexing, i.e., operating several emitters in parallel, stems from the thrust requirements of small satellites for which such a system is well-suited. The device is composed of a microfabricated Si array of nozzles whose hydraulic impedance is increased by packing them with 2.01-μm silica microbeads. An extractor electrode creates a sufficiently intense electric field to establish multiple electrosprays in the cone-jet mode. Two high electric conductivity ionic liquid solutions are tested in the colloidal (drop) regime: 1) a solution of 21.5% by volume of methylammonium formate (MAF) in formamide (FA), with electric conductivity K = 1.8 S/m and 2) pure ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), with K = 2 S/m. Using a seven-nozzle (7-MES) system, we can achieve uniformity of operation of all emitters when the viscous pressure drop in each nozzle dominates the electrodynamic pull at the capillary outlets. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry measurements and comparison of a single-nozzle (1-MES) emitter and the 7-MES system confirm that all seven emitters operate in unison, with the same average propulsive efficiency η_p as a 1-MES system: ηp = 85% for FA/MAF and 62% for pure EAN.