Compact multiplexing of monodisperse electrosprays

Insulated multinozzle system for electrohydrodynamic atomization in the simple-jet mode

“…Electrospraying in this mode with only 5 nozzles has provided throughputs of 2.2 l h À1 with rather low packing density. 12 Additionally, the presence of an insulation layer between nozzle tips and counter electrodes allowed a stable operation of the device under high relative humidity levels. Droplet size and jet breakup length measurements proved that all nozzles are operating at very similar conditions.…”

“…However, key drawbacks that have hampered its application are, first, the low flow rates and, to a lesser extent, the restrictions on the physical properties of the liquids that can be atomized with this technique. 12 Good reviews about the different applications of EHDA and their characteristics can be found in the literature. 3,13,14 Many studies have been done on out-scaling electrospraying in the cone-jet mode.…”

“…The most explored option is the design of multinozzle devices. Some examples are the works presented by Bocanegra et al, 15 Deng et al, 12 and Arnanthigo et al 4 The first authors reported on the construction and operation of a multi-hole electrospray atomizer, bearing up to 37 holes with a packing density (PD) of up to 115 emitters per square centimeter. The second reported the successful operation of a multiplexed electrospray system with a packing density of up to 11 547 sources per square centimeter.…”

Monodisperse water microdroplets generated by electrohydrodynamic atomization in the simple-jet mode

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Among others, such sprays can be used to control droplet deposition in inkjet printing, 8 to improve lung targeting in drug inhalation technology 9,10 and they are known to enhance the evaporation rate in combustion systems. 11 Commonly, the droplets generated in these processes are formed from the breakup of a liquid ligament.…”

“…3,16 In view of these appealing characteristics, the production of monodisperse sprays using EHDA has attracted considerable attention in the literature. [2][3][4][5][6][7]10,12,17,18 Some examples are the works of Tang and Gomez (1994), who investigated monodisperse electrosprayed water droplets for targeted drug delivery 7 and monodisperse sprays of low conductivity liquids 3 as well as the works of Deng et al (2009) and Arnanthigo et al (2011) who have developed multiplex systems for the production of such sprays. 6,19 These papers consider electrospray in the cone-jet mode largely due to the fact that droplets generated in this mode are monodisperse and much smaller than the nozzle diameter; thus, allowing the usage of big nozzles.…”