Experimental flow measurements of electrohydrodynamic convection fields by particle image velocimetry

A method of particle image velocimetry has been proposed for measuring flow velocity hydrodynamic (EHD) convection fields liquid. The flow velocity is calculated from the average moving distance and direction of the tracer particles traveling along with fluid flow. The method has the great advantage that it enables us to continuously measure the velocity distribution of unsteady fields. Experimental measurement derives interesting velocity distributions of the silicon oil flow which is electrically and thermally stressed under non-uniform electric fields. The experimental results show an analogy between the natural convection and the EHD convection. It allows us to give the conjecture that the EHD convection is formed as a driving action causing energy release at the tip of electrode.