This study deals experimentally and theoretically with pumping of slightIy conducting, thin liquid layer by means of a traveling electric potential-wave and electroliydrodynamic stability problem for the flow, which has a linear velocity profile bound...
This study deals experimentally and theoretically with pumping of slightIy conducting, thin liquid layer by means of a traveling electric potential-wave and electroliydrodynamic stability problem for the flow, which has a linear velocity profile bounded by a fixed wall and an infinitely extended insulating liquid.
It is shown that the induction pumping is successful in getting the film Reynolds number of order of few hundreds and that the limitation on the uniform flow results from flow instability.
The stability problem is solved asymptotically for large values of Reynolds number. The neutral stability curves are presented in α vs R plane; the critical Reynolds number and the corresponding wavenumber are found.
Comparison of the theory with the experimental data on the interface velocity of laminar flow, the voltage corresponding to the critical Reynolds number and the most unstable wavelength of the disturbance show satisfactory agreement.
Appendicies give the details of the calculation of perturbed electric fields and of electric surface tractions which play an important role in the stability problem.