Numerical modeling of electrostatic spray

Summary form only given, as follows. Electrostatic powder painting in which aerosolized paint particles are charged up by an electron beam injected into air has been shown to be very promising in many applications including automobile painting. Behavior of low energy electrons (/spl sim/10 keV) interacting with air and powder particles at one atmospheric pressure, however, is not well understood and the detailed information of the interaction is essential in designing commercial paint spray. In order to understand the above process, we will use a three-dimensional electrostatic particle simulation model in which an electron beam is injected into the air. Various ionization processes are included in the model by means of Monte-Carlo method. Preliminary results of the simulations indicate that a beam electron can generate a few hundred secondary electrons as well as negative ions that are important in charging the paint powder. Results of the simulations will be presented and compared with data available from the powder spray experiment.