Performance optimization of an air-assisted electrostatic spraying unit using response surface methodology

Abstract

An air-assisted electrostatic spraying unit along with a set-up to measure the spray current was developed. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the performance of the developed electrostatic spraying unit. The optimum parameters such as electrode diameter, electrode voltage, electrode position and target distance for maximizing charge-to-mass ratio (CMR) were determined to be 30 mm, 2000 V, 0 mm and 400 mm, respectively Predicted CMR under optimal conditions was experimentally validated. Furthermore, charged spray demonstrated 1.5 to 4.6 times higher droplet deposition with lower uniformity coefficient (2.13–2.14) and relative span factor (0.84–0.9) compared to uncharged spray.