Electrohydrodynamic Augmentation of Forced Convection Heat Transfer

Augmentation of heat transfer due to injection of an ion flux through a thermal boundary layer is measured in a forced convection heat transfer apparatus. A nickel mesh injection grid is used to minimize the effect of the ``corona wind'' associated with point discharges and thus to isolate an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) instability mechanism. The EHD instability is shown to be a viable mechanism in augmenting forced convection heat transfer. Change in the Nusselt number is documented as a function of an EHD instability interaction parameter, Reynolds number, and temperature gradient.