Study of the behaviour of a bubble in an electric field: steady shape and local fluid motion

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a uniform electric field on bubbles. Numerical analyses have been carried out in order to determine the shape of an axisymmetric conducting bubble immersed in an isothermal dielectric fluid. A detailed analysis of the interfacial electric stresses acting on the liquid-vapour conducting interface is discussed. This study shows a deformation of the bubble in the electric field direction and also electroconvective movements within and around the conducting bubble. The electroconvective movements are analysed on the basis of the creeping flow approximation. A comparison between the conducting bubble shape and the dielectric bubble one is also presented. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicates Elsevier SAS.