Author(s)

S.A. Colbert & R.A. Cairncross

Abstract

A mathematical model of particle transport in electrostatic spray coating S. A. colbert1 & R. A. cairncross2 1 Materials & Process Engineering Dept., Thomson, USA 2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Drexel University, USA Abstract Although electrostatic spray coating (E-spray) is widely used, its complexity requires optimization based on an empirical understanding of the spray dynamics. The project goal is to develop a mathematical model of the electrostatic field, continuum flow-field, and particle trajectories in an Espray process. By restricting the use of empirically based equations to the atomization phase of the spray process, this model should have the flexibility to tolerate "real-world" system complexities (i.e. multiple applicators, complicated geometries, etc.) and the ability to be used with any type of Espray gun sharing the same atomization characteristics. This model predicts coupling between three components: the fluid mechanics of the continuum flow field, the electrostatic

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