Spray Characteristics of Electrostatic Pressure-Swirl Nozzle for Burner Application

Electrostatic pressure-swirl nozzle for practical oil burner application has been designed. The charge injection method has been used in this design, where the nozzle consists of a sharp pointed tungsten wire as a charge injector and the nozzle body grounded. The spray characteristics of the nozzles have been investigated by using an insulating liquid, i.e. kerosene without active surface agent. Breakup length of liquid decreased with an increase in applied voltage and injection pressure, while the spray angle increased with an increased in both applied voltage and injection pressure. An empirical equations have been suggested to predict the breakup length for electrostatic pressure-swirl atomizer. The experimental result was within the range of the predicted equations. The SMD decreased between the ranges of 2.8 ${\sim}$ 33% when the conventional nozzle was compared to the electrostatic with -10 kV applied to the electrode at a radial distance from 5 to 20 mm.