Electrostatic dispersal of liquids

Apparatus for dispersing liquid into a gas stream, comprising

• a plurality of porous members each such member being of generally annular form,
• each member having a plurality of termini directed radially therefrom;
• a plurality of tubular members, located one between each pair of adjacent annular porous members,
• means for holding the porous members and tubular member together to create an assembly defining a fluid reservoir therein;
• means for supplying said liquid to said reservoir;
• means for establishing an electric field in the vicinity of the termini on each of said porous members said electric field causing liquid at said termini to be electrostatically dispersed from said termini;
• and
• an annular duct wall surrounding said assembly of porous members and tubular members for constraining said gas stream to flow in the space between the duct wall and the assembly of porous members and tubular members for entraining and removing liquid electrostatically dispersed from termini.

A carburetor for dispersing a liquid fuel into a gas stream comprising:

• at least one member formed of inherently porous material and sufficiently porous that said liquid fuel can soak therethrough and having a plurality of termini;
• means for supplying said liquid fuel to said porous member;
• means for establishing an electric field in the vicinity of the termini on said porous member, said electric field causing liquid at said termini to be electrostatically dispersed from said termini;
• and
• means for directing a flow of gas past said termini so as to entrain and remove liquid fuel electrostatically dispersed from said termini.

A method of dispersing liquid into a gas stream, comprising the steps of:

• supplying the liquid to a member formed of inherently porous material and having a plurality of termini;
• permitting the liquid to soak through the porous member to the termini;
• simultaneously establishing an electric field in the vicinity of the termini, the field having such a magnitude as to cause said liquid to become electrostatically charged at said termini and to be driven off from said termini as a stream of droplets;
• and
• providing a flow of gas past said termini so as to entrain said droplets within said flow of gas.