Numerical investigation of water surface deformation due to corona discharge

A two-phase electrohydrodynamic flow in a corona discharge system of a sharp needle and a water electrode is studied considering free interface deformation. The governing equations were solved using finite volume method implemented in a developed solver using the OpenFOAM platform. Recommendations are given about selection of equivalent electrical properties of water. For a constant electrode-water gap, a 60% increase in the applied voltage results in a 90% enhancement of maximum downward air velocity. Interface deformation depth could reach 2 nun (20% of initial water layer depth), revealing that consideration of deformation in a shallow water layer is very important.