Hydrodynamic features of the formation of an electric discharge in an electrolyte jet

This work is devoted to the study of hydrodynamic features arising in the process of jet electrolyte-plasma treatment of metal surfaces. The studies were carried out in a wide range of electrolyte volume flow rates of 2-120 l/h. A hollow copper cathode with a diameter of 3 mm was used as a nozzle. It was shown that, depending on the volume flow rate of the sodium chloride electrolyte (concentration of 100 g/l), both turbulent and laminar electrolyte flows are formed in the jet zone. The electrolyte flow rate on the surface of the metal anode was measured in three different ways. For different conditions, the flow rate is 0.02–0.37 m/s. Hydrodynamic modeling of jet electrolyte-plasma treatment was carried out using the COMSOL Multiphysics software product. Diagnostics of the jet electrolytic flow was performed. The results of the research can be applied to the technology of finishing and sizing of turbine blades used in the aircraft industry.