Three-dimensional evaluation of liquid jet shape in liquid–gas crossflow under electric field

• Effects of liquid viscosity on jet breakup behavior in crossflow were investigated. • Application of an electric field generated fine droplets in low-viscosity jets. • High-viscosity liquids exhibited reduced breakup and more stable flow patterns. • Vorticity distribution symmetry varied under different electric field strengths. • Three-dimensional analysis of numerical simulation results. This study presents numerical simulations of liquid–gas crossflow under an electric field, focusing on the effects of liquid viscosity and electric field strength on flow and breakup behavior. In this study, the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method was employed to simulate the liquid–gas crossflow behavior under an electric field. A three-dimensional evaluation was performed using image analysis. Without an electric field, lower-viscosity jets exhibited more significant breakup due to reduced viscous forces, which increased the relative velocity of the liquid. A liquid film formed at the top of the stretched jet, and counter-rotating vortices caused thick liquid threads to separate. Higher-viscosity jets showed suppressed breakup and reduced penetration height. When an electric field was applied, fine droplets were generated from the liquid film of low-viscosity jets due to electrostatic forces, disrupting vortex symmetry and enhancing surface undulations. However, the electric field had minimal effects on the breakup of high-viscosity jets.