Nozzle extraction geometry of a liquid metal atomizer optimized by computer simulation of electric fields

Experimental measurements are compared with results obtained using a dedicated computer program for finite element modeling of electric fields in the vicinity of a liquid metal atomizer nozzle/tip. Good agreement between the experiment and the computer model has been achieved for two different nozzle geometries (Taylor cone and rounded tip), while paying particular attention to accuracy of the numerical solution near the tip (for equipotentials as well as derived values of field strength). In addition, the potential distribution has been calculated for several different positions of extractor voltage observed for each case. Finally, the assessment of suitability of the computer technique for qualitative consideration of the atomization process itself is presented.