An experimental investigation of the thermal effects in AC-DBD plasma actuator on the melting process of an ice bead

Abstract

In the present study, we report for the first time the observations of the melting process of an ice bead under the thermal effects of the AC-DBD plasma actuator. The melting process of the ice bead was recorded by two CCD cameras and an infrared camera. The results showed that the ice bead melted significantly faster on the side close to the high voltage electrode than on the other side. Besides, the applied voltage, the frequency of the plasma actuator, and the substrate surface temperature could apparently influence the melting process of the ice bead. When the applied voltage peak-to-peak value or the substrate surface temperature were increased, the deicing time of the ice bead reduced significantly. Besides, within the tested frequency range from 7.5 kHz to 8.5 kHz, the deicing time increased with the increase of the frequency of the plasma actuator. In addition, the increase of the applied voltage peak-to-peak value and the substrate surface temperature could result in a faster decrease rate of the ice bead height.