Parametric Studies of a Large Thermal EHD Induction Pump

An EHD pump using thermally induced charge was constructed inside a closed channel approximately 6 m long. The flow rate was measured for various values of frequency, voltage, wavelength, channel depth, temperature difference, and oil conductivity and for different excitation waveshapes. The flow rate was relatively insensitive to temperature difference and channel depth, and could be maximized by proper choice of conductivity, frequency, wavelength, and waveshape. Both the frequency and the wavelength exhibited critical values beyond which the flow rate dropped substantially.