Abstract
We describe a feature of electrospray operation that allows precise control of flow rate through an electrospray emitter by use of the extraction voltage. The effect of extractor voltage on the propellant flow rate through an electrospray emitter has been determined for triethylene glycol and ethylene glycol solutions doped with varying levels of sodium iodide and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate using an in-line high-accuracy flow measurement system. In these experiments, a nominally fixed flow rate, obtained by providing a fixed supply pressure, is observed to be influenced by the applied voltage during stable cone-jet electrospray production. The relative sensitivity of flow rate to applied voltage was found to be higher as the nominal flow rate decreased. This method of flow rate control holds particular significance for colloidal electrospray thruster systems, which operate at or near minimum flow rate conditions.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 1042-1048 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Propulsion and Power |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |