Electro-spraying and combustion of alcohol in micro-combustor with single electrode

Electro-spraying is an important technique to enhance combustion of liquid fuel in micro-scale. A new combustor with nozzle diameter of 0.8 mm and single electrode was designed and fabricated. Experimental studies on electro-spraying and combustion were carried out using alcohol as fuel. Results showed four different electro-spraying modes with the variation of nozzle potential. The specific charges were measured at different electro-spraying modes, which were lower at the pulsed-jet mode, increased greatly, and reached a stable value at the cone-jet mode. The atomized alcohol was ignited and combusted stably near the mesh, which can be regarded as a flame holder. The flame temperatures increased first and then decreased with the increase of equivalent ratio. The flame temperature reached the maximum value at the equivalent ratio of 1.0, and the maximum value increased with the increase of nozzle potential. At the equivalent ratio of 1.0, the combustion efficiency reached 89% and fuel conversion efficiency reached 90% at cone-jet mode. The stable electro-spraying mode and suitable equivalent ratio are very important to the enhancement of combustion of alcohol in micro-scale.