COUPLED 2025

Interface Treatment for Coupled Electro-Excited Multiphase Flows

  • Zupan, Bor (University Of Ljubljana)
  • Zahoor, Rizwan (University Of Ljubljana)
  • Bajt, Saša (Center for Free-Electron Laser Science)
  • Šarler, Božidar (University Of Ljubljana)

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Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) phenomena, particularly in liquid jets and droplets, often occur at minuscule lengths, posing significant challenges for experimental measurement. While one-dimensional analytical models [1,2] provide valuable insights into EHD physics, they lack the comprehensiveness to capture intricate dynamics. This research gap has spurred extensive efforts in the numerical modelling of EHD systems within the finite volume method (FVM) and volume-of-fluid (VOF) framework [3]. The present study proposes a unified framework for addressing the challenges inherent to EHD flows. A novel interpolation scheme is introduced, blending the robustness of weighted arithmetic mean interpolation with the sharper interface definition of weighted harmonic mean interpolation. This addresses the limitations reported in high-permittivity contrast scenarios [4]. The model is validated on published experimental data [5], while an electro-flow-focusing case shows its robustness. In electro-flow-focusing, a Taylor cone jet interacts with a fast co-flowing gas. The results demonstrate the ability of the developed solver to comprehensively capture complex force balance between electrical, mechanical, viscous, and surface tension forces. This study consolidates advancements in FVM-VOF techniques and presents a significant step toward more reliable and versatile EHD modelling. The novel numerical implementation will enable the solving of coupled multi-physics problems involved in sample delivery techniques in serial crystallography experiments, electrosprays, inkjet printing, and high-voltage fluid manipulation.