ON THE STATISTICAL, QUANTUM AND PRACTICAL MECHANICS OF ELECTROSTATIC ATOMIZATION

Theory, corroborated by experiment, shows that the behavior of intense electrostatic sprays involving droplet sizes above one micron and probably under all circumstances, is defined by the mechanics of free charge on the spray droplet surface. Circumstantial evidence suggests that spray characteristics are ultimately traceable to a meso-scale quantum mechanical process. A condensed overview of this first-principles model is presented, with particular attention being paid to the implications this has for the engineering development of spray devices. It is shown that the mean droplet diameter of Newtonian liquid sprays involving spray droplet sizes larger than a micron is solely a function of fluid charging level, independent of all fluid and device related properties. This fact forms the basis for the development of a new class of atomizers based on direct charge injection. Charge injection atomizers are capable of providing electrostatic sprays at essentially unlimited flow rates and arbitrary, selectable droplet sizes. The theory and practice of these devices is described.