Electrohydrodynamic induction pumping of a stratified liquid/vapor medium in the presence of volumetric and interface electric charges

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumping of two-phase media has potential applications related to both pure pumping as well as heat transfer enhancement. Utilization as pumping mechanism is attractive for terrestrial and outer space systems. Augmentation of mass flow rate in two-phase heat transfer applications, such as boiling and condensation, leads to enhanced heat transfer coefficients, thus making EHD pumping an attractive candidate for these situations. A theoretical model is presented for EHD induction pumping of a stratified liquid/vapor medium accounting for electric shear stresses due to interfacial and bulk charges. Bulk charges are a result of temperature gradient in the liquid phase of the fluid. Conditions are established under which the bulk effect plays a significant role in the pumping process.