Abstract
In this study, effect of plasma actuator on a flat plate and manipulation of flow separation on NACA0015 airfoil with plasma actuator at low Reynolds numbers were experimentally investigated. In the first section of the study, plasma actuator which consists of positive and grounded electrode couple and dielectric layer, located on a flat plate was actuated at different frequencies and peak to peak voltages in range of 3-5 kHz and 6-12 kV respectively. The induced air flow velocity on the surface of flat plate was measured by pitot tube at different locations behind the actuator. The influence of dielectric thickness and unsteady actuation with duty cycle was also examined. In the second section, the effect of plasma actuator on NACA0015 airfoil was studied at Reynolds number 15000 and 30000. Four plasma actuators were placed at x/C = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.9, and different electrode combinations were activated by sinusoidal signal. Flow visualizations were done when the attack angles were 0°, 5°, 10°, 15° and 20°. The results indicate that up to the 15° attack angle, the separated flow was reattached by plasma actuator at 12kV peak to peak voltage and 4 kHz frequency. However, 12 kVpp voltage was insufficient to reattach the flow at 20° angle of attack. The separated flow could be reattached by increasing the voltage up to 13 kV. Lift coefficient was also increased by the manipulated flow over the airfoil. Results showed that even high attack angles, the actuators can control the flow separation and prevent the airfoil from stall at low Reynolds numbers.
Highlights
Elimination or reduction of the effects of flow induced problem can be achieved by the application of the various active and passive flow control methods
In the first section of the study, plasma actuator which consists of positive and grounded electrode couple and dielectric layer, located on a flat plate was actuated at different frequencies and peak to peak voltages in range of 3-5 kHz and 6-12 kV respectively
The results indicate that up to the 15° attack angle, the separated flow was reattached by plasma actuator at 12kV peak to peak voltage and 4 kHz frequency
Summary
Elimination or reduction of the effects of flow induced problem can be achieved by the application of the various active and passive flow control methods. EHD is useful as a flow control mechanism, because electrical energy is converted to momentum without any need of moving mechanical parts. It is a promising method for aero industrial applications because of adequate response time, sample structure, and many features such as controlling the separation, increasing the lift forces, decreasing the drag forces, delaying the stall angle. More enhancements are still necessary to achieve effective flow control at high Reynolds number for the industrial applications
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