| Electric fields have been known to enhance
heat transfer in boiling of liquids and condensation of vapors. Experiments conducted in
our laboratories have shown that vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) of certain types of binary
mixtures can be changed by using an electric field. Investigations are under way to
characterize and understand this phenomenon. VLE studies of different types of binary
mixtures along with batch distillation studies under electric fields are in progress. The
effects of electric fields on liquid-liquid systems are also being investigated. This
research is sponsored by the Environmental Management Science Program, Office of
Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy. |
A VLE apparatus with two electrodes connected to a
high-voltage power supply is used to study phase equilibria modification by electric
fields. |