Simulation of flow field based on constrained fluid for electrolyte jet control

Abstract In previous studies, jets were controlled by adjusting parameters such as velocity, pressure, size and shape of nozzle, and temperature. In this study, a new method of controlling electrolyte jets was proposed by introducing a constrained fluid. To analyze the effects of the constrained fluid on the jet flow field, the initial jet velocity and velocity ratio of the flow field were examined. Simulation results showed that the proposed method can avoid stray deposition caused when the electrolyte is spread on the substrate surface. The electrolyte jet could be controlled by the constrained fluid, indicating the characteristic of cyclical fluctuation. The initial jet velocity and velocity ratio had different impacts on the flow field; the former mainly affected the velocity and pressure distribution. The relationship between the velocity of flow field and initial jet velocity was observed to be linear. However, the relationship between pressure of the flow field and initial jet velocity was quadratic. The velocity ratio had a significant impact on the state of electrolyte jet. At low initial jet velocities, the electrolyte jet was not continuous at different velocity ratios. When the initial jet velocity increased, cyclical fluctuations in the electrolyte jet weakened under high velocity ratios. The electrolyte jet diameter also decreased linearly as the velocity ratio increased. The velocity and pressure of the flow field were quadratically related to the velocity ratio. This indicates that the constrained fluid had a considerable impact on the flow field and state of the electrolyte jet. Moreover, the electrolyte jet could be controlled effectively by adjusting the initial jet velocity and velocity ratio to obtain a stable and small electrolyte jet diameter.