Characterization of DBD Plasma Actuators via PIV Measurements

Abstract

This study presents Particle Image Velocimetry measurements of the induced flow characteristics generated by single dielectric barrier discharge actuators in quiescent conditions. The primary aim is to establish accurate empirical trends for model development on both the maximum induced velocity and body force with voltage and consumed power. The results from this work reveal a power law variation for the maximum velocity at low voltages which is then followed by an asymptotic behaviour. In contrast, the body force is characterized by two power law regions. The power law exponent is a function of the dielectric thickness, frequency and dielectric constant. Reducing the former or increasing the latter two metrics result in a higher coefficient and lower voltage at which the trend changes. The onset of the second region coincides with an associated shift towards the wall in the downstream maximum velocity location. A small hysteresis effect has been established for the Kapton based actuators which is postulated to be associated with actuator degradation. The results from this study also reveal that a flush mounted exposed electrode leads to a thicker, less concentrated wall jet which, overall, produces the same body force as the non-flushed mounted configuration.