Evaluation of the flow rate of an electro-rheological fluid (corn starch-kerosene) flowing through a narrow channel formed by a pair of electrodes

The flow rate of a com starch-kerosene ERF through a narrow channel formed by a pair of electrodes has been measured over a range of electric fields between 0 and 2.8 kV/mm. The effect of the entrance shape and various electrode configurations on the flow rate of the ERF has been examined. The relationship between the flow rate and applied voltage is theoretically analysed on the assumption that the ERF is a Bingham fluid and compared with the observed values. It has been illustrated that the theoretically derived relationship is in good agreement with the observed values if a correction term or adjustable parameters are incorporated.