Computational fluid dynamics implementation and optimization of electrohydrodynamics’ two-phase leaky dielectric model

<p>The leaky dielectric model from electrohydrodynamics (EHD) was incorporated into the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software called OpenFOAM®. Based on the used literature, it can be said that this implementation of the mentioned model is the most complete. Three sets of two-phase simulations were done. The first set was one- dimensional. In the second set, a stationary drop surrounded by another fluid deformed under the influence of an electric field. The deformations were both positive and negative. These two sets were used in order to optimize the implementation. Different expressions were tested. A new way for calculating the electrostrictive force when there are two fluids is presented. It resolves the previously encountered issue concerning drop deformations. Recommendations for expressions used in OpenFOAM® for all three electric forces are given. Finally, a settling drop within an electric field was simulated. The final set of simulations more obviously shows the usability of this implementation in practice. Conclusions that are presented in this paper can be transferred to other EHD models and their implementations.</p>