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Micro Electro-Osmotic Thrusters of Power-Law Fluids for Space Propulsion
Jiaxuan Zheng1,2, Jialu Wang3, Yongjun Jian3
1College of Mathematics Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China.
Micromachines
|May 27, 2023
Summary
Non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluids show promise for micro electro-osmotic thrusters (EOTs). These fluids can improve or optimize the performance of EOTs compared to traditional Newtonian fluids.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Microfluidics
- Electrokinetics
Background:
- Electro-osmotic thrusters (EOTs) are micro-scale propulsion systems.
- Traditional EOTs utilize Newtonian fluids, which have limitations.
- Non-Newtonian fluids, specifically power-law fluids, have not been extensively studied as propellants in EOTs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate the performance of electro-osmotic thrusters (EOTs) using non-Newtonian power-law fluids.
- To analyze the impact of the flow behavior index (n) on EOT performance.
- To compare the suitability of pseudoplastic (n < 1) and dilatant (n > 1) fluids for micro-thruster applications.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of electro-osmotic thrusters in microchannels.
- Application of the Debye-Hückel linearization assumption.
- Utilizing an approximate scheme of the hyperbolic sine function for analytical solutions.
- Evaluation of electric potential and flow velocity.
Main Results:
- Analytical solutions for electric potential and flow velocity were derived.
- Thruster performance metrics (specific impulse, thrust, efficiency, thrust-to-power ratio) were explored.
- Performance is highly dependent on the flow behavior index and electrokinetic width.
- Non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluids demonstrated superior or optimized performance characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluids are highly suitable for micro electro-osmotic thrusters.
- These fluids can overcome performance deficiencies observed with Newtonian fluids.
- The study provides valuable insights for the design and optimization of next-generation micro-propulsion systems.
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