Electrostatic suppression of the Leidenfrost state

Abstract eng:
The mechanisms of electrostatic suppression of the Leidenfrost state in an evaporating droplet with finite electrical conductivity is studied theoretically and experimentally. Using linear stability analyses for 2D and axisymmetric models of the electrohydrodynamic flow, the minimum voltage required for the suppression of the vapor gap (Leidenfrost effect) between the drop and hot surface is determined as a filnction of their voltage and temperature differences and the physical properties of the liquid and vapor. The dynamics of the liquid-vapor gap depends on the interplay of a destabilizing electrostatic force and stabilizing capillary and evaporation-driven hydrodynamic forces. The critical voltage required for Leidenfrost suppression is found to increase with both the droplet volume and the surface temperature. The critical wavelength of the applied perturbation is of the order of the droplet dimensions. There is very good agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements.

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