Abstract
Electrostatic atomization is a method typically used to produce fine liquid droplets with diameters between ten and several hundred micrometers and a relatively narrow size distribution. This method is simple but its mechanism is not yet fully understood.
Our research involved producing fine silica particles by forming droplets of water glass no. 3 using electrostatic atomization, then dehydrating them and removing their sodium ions. The atomization state was classified into three modes according to applied voltage: dripping, uniform cone-jet, and discharge modes. Uniformly sized droplets were produced only with the uniform cone-jet mode at a positive high voltage. The mean volume diameter of silica particles could be estimated as a function of flow rate and applied voltage, as well as the surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity of the water glass solution.
† This report was originally printed in J. Soc. Powder Technology, Japan. 38(2), 90-96 (2001) in Japanese, before being translated into English by KONA Editorial Committee with the permission of the editorial committee of the Soc. Powder Technology, Japan.
