Convective heat-transfer enhancement by electric fields

Abstract A general problem is formulated of electroconvective heat transfer and the problems of this kind are classified according to motive force types and to nonuniformity of electrophysical parameters. Typical cases of nonuniformities are considered, namely, thermal, mechanical and those due to the electric field itself. A qualitative theory is developed covering all the flow patterns which correlates experimental data on electroconvective heat transfer in homogeneous and disperse media and on corona discharge in gases. Experimental data agree with theoretical predictions.