Stabilization of crossflow instability with plasma actuators: Linearized Navier–Stokes simulations

Abstract

This paper describes work carried out within the European Union (EU)-Russia Buterfli project to look at the control of transition-causing “target” stationary cross flow vortices, by the use of distributed plasma actuation to generate sub-dominant “killer” modes. The objective is to use the “killer” modes to control the “target” modes through a non-linear stabilizing mechanism. The numerical modelling and results are compared to experimental studies performed at the TsAGI T124 tunnel for a swept plate subject to a favorable pressure gradient flow. A mathematical model for the actuator developed at TsAGI was implemented in a linearized Navier–Stokes (LNS) solver and used to model and hence predict “killer” mode amplitudes at a measurement plane in the experiment. The LNS analysis shows good agreement with experiment, and the results are used as input for non-linear parabolized stability equation (PSE) analysis to predict the effect of these modes on crossflow transition. Whilst the numerical model indicates a delay in transition, experimental results indicated an advance in transition rather than delay. This was determined to be due to actuator-induced unsteadiness arising in the experiment, resulting in the generation of travelling crossflow disturbances which tended to obscure and thus dominate the plasma stabilized stationary disturbances.