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Plasma-induced unconventional shock waves on oil surfaces
Guoliang Li1, Ruiheng Hu1, Jau Tang2,3
1Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
Scientific Reports
|December 15, 2018
Summary
Researchers observed unique shock waves on oil films during electric corona discharge. These waves, unlike typical ones, involved non-contact droplet movement driven by electric fields, challenging conventional physics models.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Electrokinetics
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Electric corona discharge in multi-phase systems generates complex electro-hydrodynamic phenomena.
- Unconventional wave propagation has been observed in various physical systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature of shock wave propagation on an oil thin film during electric corona discharge.
- To understand the mechanism behind the observed time-retarded movement of dispersed oil droplets.
Main Methods:
- Observation of shock wave propagation on a polymer-coated conductor with sprayed oil thin film.
- Abrupt removal of high voltage bias from an overhung steel needle to trigger wave formation.
- Systematic studies to analyze the behavior of solitary waves and droplet movement.
Main Results:
- An unconventional, hair-thin single shock wave was observed upon abrupt removal of high voltage bias.
- The solitary waves exhibited no interference or reflection properties, differing from ordinary waves and solitons.
- Dispersed oil droplets showed time-retarded, non-contact movement, mimicking wave propagation on a continuous medium.
Conclusions:
- The observed phenomena, including non-contact droplet movement, cannot be explained by conventional surface wave equations.
- A novel mechanism involving oil surface charges driven by remnant electric fields is proposed.
- This study reveals new electro-hydrodynamic behaviors in multi-phase systems.
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