Numerical Simulations of Disturbances in Shear Flows Introduced by NS-DBD Plasma Actuators

Abstract

Present paper describes results of a numerical study of instabilities introduced into shear flows by nanosecond dielectric barrier discharge (NS-DBD) plasma actuators using a laminar boundary layer as an example. Numerical study is done using compressible Navier-Stokes equations and a thermal model of the NS-DBD actuator. The results of the numerical simulation of NS-DBD (nanosecond dielectric barrier discharge) plasma actuator in laminar boundary layer on a flat plate are compared to the results of the experiment. The results are found to be in good agreement in terms of wavelength, wave speed and shape. The results of the comparison indicate that the proposed thermal model is suitable for predicting phenomenology of disturbances in the laminar boundary layer produced by NS-DBD plasma actuators. The disturbance is also compared to the Tollmien-Schlichting waves predicted by linear stability theory. Simulations demonstrate that the primary effect of the NS-DBD actuator is excitation of the T-S waves.