Influence of Polarity Reversal and Current Intermittence on Electro-Osmosis

Polarity reversal and current intermittence are two attainable approaches to improve the electro-osmosis effect as well as to reduce energy consumption. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of polarity reversal and current intermittence on electro-osmosis and, furthermore, to optimize the electrifying process. Laboratory tests were performed with different reversal intervals and distributions of power on-off time. Drainage and current were monitored to investigate the reinforced effect. It is demonstrated that proper design in current intermittence can excessively enhance the electro-osmotic effect. Conversely, polarity reversal has an indistinctive effect and is not recommended. Furthermore, disputes in published literature concerning polarity reversal and current intermittence were also discussed. This paper provides good guidance on the electrifying process for practical application of electro-osmosis.