Abstract
Abstract
Electricity provides a wide range of benefits for plant growth, and the electric field created by a charged steam jet exhibits significant potential for application in this field. This study investigates the electrical characteristics of charged steam jets, including the corona-discharge process, distribution of electric fields, and deposition currents. By installing a needle-ring electrode near the steam-jet exit, high-potential charged steam is generated within a confined space through the corona charging of droplets in the steam. The humid environment inside the steam jet considerably reduces the corona current compared with that of air. The outlet current is identified as a critical factor for assessing the charged steam-jet behaviour, with a higher outlet current indicating a stronger electric field and deposition current. The configuration of the electrode and the steam operational conditions, particularly the latter, affect the outlet current. Experimental results highlight the different electrical distribution characteristics of wet and saturated steam jets. Notably, the distributions of electric field and deposition currents, along with the depositional droplets and absolute-humidity increments exhibit asymmetry above and below the steam jet. This paper presents a discussion on the formation, development, and dissipative processes of charged droplets and an analysis into their possible movement trajectories under various forces. Generally, the asymmetric distribution of charged steam jets is caused by the asymmetric distribution of charged droplets or water-cluster molecules, which becomes more pronounced as one departs further from the steam-jet exit.