One-dimensional thermoelectrohydrodynamic flows of a weakly conducting fluid

F. P. Grosu - M. K. Bologa

Abstract
The inception conditions and development characteristics of one-dimensional thermoelectrohydrodynamic (TEHD) flows induced by the Coulomb forces of an electric field are investigated on the assumption that one-dimensional electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flows are the counterpart of MHD flows. It is shown that TEHD flows are possible in plane and cylindrical channels (capacitors) filled with a weakly conducting fluid and having a linear temperature distribution along the walls. The distributions of the velocity, temperature, bulk charge density, and electroconvection currents are found for the models indicated. It is found that the TEHD effect depends strongly on the temperature gradients and electrical potential difference on the channel walls. It is shown that the average convection current density can be several orders greater than the straight conduction current density; this result is significant both from the general physical point of view and with reference to the design of EHD energy converters.