Definitions of Electrohydrodynamics (EHD)
vs.
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
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Courtesy of
Wikpedia: The Free Encyclopedia
Electrohydrodynamics (EHD): [ Wikpedia Page ]
"Electrohydrodynamics (EHD), also known as electro-fluid-dynamics (EFD) or electrokinetics, is the study of the dynamics of electrically
conducting fluid. It is the study of the motions of ionised particles or molecules and their interactions with electric fields and the surrounding
fluid. The term may be considered to be synonymous with the rather elaborate electrostrictive hydrodynamics. EHD covers Electrophoresis,
dielectrophoresis, electro-osmosis, and electrorotation. In general, the phenomena relate to the direct conversion of electrical energy into kinetic
energy, and vice versa.
In the first instance, shaped electrostatic fields create hydrostatic pressure (or motion) in dielectric media. When such media are fluids, a flow is
produced. If the dielectric is a vacuum or a solid, no flow is produced. Such flow can be directed against the electrodes, generally to move the
electrodes. In such case, the moving structure acts as an electric motor. Practical fields of interest of EHD are the common air ioniser,
Electrohydrodynamic thrusters and EHD cooling systems.
In the second instance, the converse takes place. A powered flow of medium within a shaped electrostatic field adds energy to the system
which is picked up as a potential difference by electrodes. In such case, the structure acts as an electrical generator."
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD): [ Wikpedia Page ]
"Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) (magnetofluiddynamics or hydromagnetics) is the academic discipline which studies the dynamics of
electrically conducting fluids. Examples of such fluids include plasmas, liquid metals, and salt water. The word magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
is derived from magneto- meaning magnetic field, and hydro- meaning fluid, and -dynamics meaning movement. The field of MHD was initiated
by Hannes Alfvén[1], for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1970.
The set of equations which describe MHD are a combination of the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid dynamics and Maxwell's equations of
electromagnetism. These differential equations have to be solved simultaneously. This is too complex or impossible to do symbolically in most
cases, but there are important classes of analytical solutions (for example, the Solov'ev equilibria). For real-world problems in complex
geometries, numeric solutions are found using computers. Because MHD is a fluid theory, it cannot treat kinetic phenomena, i.e., those in
which the existence of discrete particles, or of a non-thermal distribution of their velocities, is important."