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 a pumping mechanism is attractive for terrestrial and outer space systems. Augmentation of mass flux 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