Stability of two immiscible leaky-dielectric liquids subjected to a radial electric field in an annulus duct

In this paper, we investigated the stability of a two coaxial leaky dielectric fluid system flowing in an annulus duct. A constant pressure gradient was applied to drive the flow in the duct. A radial electric field was imposed between the outer and inner surfaces of the duct. Linear stability analysis was employed to discuss the influences of electric field on the capillary and interface wave instabilities. The former instability is caused by surface tension and the latter is caused by viscosity stratification at the interface. It was found that, depending on the electrical permittivities and conductivities of the two liquids, the electric field either stabilized or destabilized the flow system. Apart from that, it was found that an external electric field could impede the capillary and interface wave instabilities. Influences of the inner radius of the duct, viscosity ratio, thickness ratio, and Reynolds number on the stability of the system were discussed as well.