Effect of an electric field on a Leidenfrost droplet

TL;DR

This study experimentally examines how applying an electric field influences a Leidenfrost droplet, revealing that increased voltage reduces vapor layer thickness and can suppress the effect, causing boiling.

Contribution

It provides the first quantitative analysis of electric field effects on Leidenfrost droplets, demonstrating control over the vapor layer and transition to boiling.

Findings

Electric field decreases vapor layer thickness.

Critical voltage suppresses Leidenfrost effect.

Electric control can induce boiling in droplets.

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the effect of an electric field applied between a Leidenfrost droplet and the heated substrate on which it is levitating. We quantify the electro-Leidenfrost effect by imaging the interference fringes between the liquid-vapour and vapour-substrate interfaces. The increase of the voltage induces a decrease of the vapour layer thickness. Above a certain critical voltage the Leidenfrost effect is suppressed and the drop starts boiling. Our study characterizes this way to control and/or to avoid the Leidenfrost effect that is undesirable in many domains such as metallurgy or nuclear reactor safety.