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Analysis of droplet stability after ejection from an inkjet nozzle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2018

Yonghong Zhong ,
Haisheng Fang Open the ORCID record for Haisheng Fang [Opens in a new window] ,
Qianli Ma  and
Xuran Dong
Yonghong Zhong
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
Haisheng Fang*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
Qianli Ma
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
Xuran Dong
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
*
†Email address for correspondence: hafang@hust.edu.cn
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Abstract

Inkjet technology is a commendable tool in many applications including graphics printing, bioengineering and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Droplet stability is a key factor influencing inkjet performance. The stability can be analysed using dimensionless numbers that usually combine thermophysical properties and system dimensions. In this paper, a drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet experimental system is established. A numerical model is developed to investigate the influence of the operating conditions on droplet stability, including nozzle dimensions, driving parameters (the pulse amplitude and width used to drive droplet formation) and fluid properties. The results indicate that the stability can be improved by decreasing the pulse amplitude and width, decreasing the fluid density and viscosity or increasing the nozzle diameter and fluid surface tension. Based on case analysis and modelling, a dimensionless number ($Z$), the reciprocal of the Ohnesorge number, is numerically determined for a stable droplet to lie in a range between 4 and 8. To explicitly combine the driving parameters, a new stability criterion, $Pj$, is further proposed. A general rule taking into account both $Pj$ and $Z$ is proposed for choosing appropriate driving parameters to eject stable droplets for a known nozzle and fluid, which is further validated by experiments.

JFM classification

Drops and Bubbles: Drops Multiphase and Particle-laden Flows: Gas/liquid flow Flow Control: Instability control
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 845 , 25 June 2018 , pp. 378 - 391
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Copyright
© 2018 Cambridge University Press 

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