Efficiency of Electric to Kinetic Energy Conversion of an Electrohydrodynamic Thruster in a Moving Bulk-Fluid

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters have been proposed as a potential propulsion source by many visionary and pioneering scientists since the early 20th century. However, a primary concern is that the rates of electric to kinetic energy conversion efficiency are typically found to be less than 1%. In order to determine feasibility of EHD propulsion in an atmospheric medium, potential ways to increase efficiency, thrust, thrust density, and decrease thrust to power ratios must be considered. A theoretical increase in EHD electric to kinetic conversion efficiency from less than 2% up to 22% has been previously suggested by Singhal & Garimella (2005) as a function of bulk fluid velocity. At sufficient velocity, the total combined output fluid efficiency was theorized to be greater than those expected from mechanical and electrical systems individually, possibly due to convection currents. The proposed experimental setup has the benefit of being straightforward and robust, and the power input and output of each individual mechanical and EHD system of the thruster can be observed and measured as they operate separately, and then in a combined manner as a system.