Thermally driven electrokinetic energy conversion with liquid water microjects
Embodiments relate to materials, methods to prepare, and methods of use of a thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus. The electrokinetic microjet apparatus includes a reservoir; a jet assembly fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir; and a target electrode spaced from at least the jet assembly.
1. A thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus, comprising:
a reservoir including at least one heating device;
a jet assembly fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir; and
a target electrode spaced from at least the jet assembly.
2. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target electrode is spaced about 5 cm from the jet assembly.
3. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jet assembly produces a charged liquid beam.
4. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 3 wherein the liquid beam travels about 5 cm in ambient air at an average linear flow velocity of about 20 m/s.
5. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target is a copper plate.
6. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 1 further including a rupture disk fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir.
7. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 6 further including a pressure transducer fluidly communicating with at least the rupture disk.
8. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 7 further including a back pressure regulator fluidly communicating with the pressure transducer and the jet assembly.
9. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid microjet comprises at least one capillary having a 30 μm inner diameter.
10. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one capillary is a 30 μm inner diameter silica capillary.
11. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reservoir comprise a double-ended cylinder adapted to hold deionized water.
12. A thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus, comprising:
a reservoir including at least one heating device;
a jet assembly fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir, the liquid microjet including at least one capillary having a 30 μm inner diameter and producing a charged liquid beam; and
a target electrode spaced about 5 cm from at least the jet assembly, wherein the charged liquid beam travels about 5 cm in ambient air at an average linear flow velocity of about 20 m/s.
13. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least one capillary is a 30 μm inner diameter silica capillary.
14. The thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus of claim 13 wherein the reservoir comprises a double-ended cylinder adapted to hold deionized water.
15. A method of performing electrokinetic conversion using mechanical energy, comprising:
providing a microjet apparatus comprising:
a reservoir including at least one heating element and containing a liquid;
a jet assembly fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir, the liquid microjet including at least one capillary having a 30 μm inner diameter; and
a target electrode spaced about 5 cm from at least the jet assembly;
receiving the liquid from the reservoir;
producing a charged liquid beam from the microjet; and
striking the target at an average linear flow velocity of about 20 m/s.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising heating the liquid to about 40° C., producing pressures of about 60 PSI/° C.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the liquid comprises water.