Particle image velocimetry analysis of the flow around circular cylinder induced by arc discharge rotating in magnetic field

Abstract

An experimental study of the flow around a circular cylinder model with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) actuator was carried out in subsonic wind tunnels (M < 0.2). Combined (high frequency and pulsed-periodic) electrical discharge was used in this MHD actuator. This intense pulsed-periodic discharge had the following characteristics: voltage amplitude up to 15 kV, current amplitude up to 16 A and frequency up to 1 kHz. Permanent magnets with an induction of B = 0.1 T on the model surface were placed inside the cylindrical model. Annular electrodes were situated on the surface of the cylindrical model. The Lorentz force causes the rotation of the electric arc on the model surface. In turn, the movement of the arc discharge induces the rotation of the gas near the surface of the model. In this experiment were carried out the measurement of the flow velocity profile near the surface of the model on the following operational modes: with plasma and without plasma. A parametric study of the aerodynamic performance of the model was fulfilled with respect to the discharge parameters and the flow velocity. To measure the velocity profile was used particle image velocimetry method.