Temporal variation of the spatial density distribution above a nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator in quiescent air

Ukai, T., Russell, A., Zare-Behtash, H. and Kontis, K. (2018) Temporal variation of the spatial density distribution above a nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator in quiescent air. Physics of Fluids, 30(11), 116106. (doi: 10.1063/1.5054263)

Abstract

The thermal perturbation caused by a nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (ns-DBD) plasma actuator may lead to boundary layer transition. Hence, understanding of the thermal flow induced by the ns-DBD plasma actuator will contribute to the development of an efficient flow control device for various engineering applications. In this study, the spatial density distribution related to the thermal flow was experimentally investigated using both qualitative and quantitative schlieren techniques. The focus of this study is to understand the initial temporal variation of the spatial density distribution above the ns-DBD plasma actuator in quiescent air. The quantitative visualisation showed that a hot plume is generated from the edge of the exposed electrode and moves slightly towards the ground electrode. A possible explanation is that an ionic wind and/or an induced jet leads to the movement of the hot plume. However, the plasma-induced flow (the ionic wind and the induced jet) is generated after the primary plasma discharges; namely, the hot plume does not move immediately after the first plasma discharge. At almost the same time as the movement of the hot plume, consecutive plasma discharges enhance the density of the hot plume; thereafter, the density reaches almost a steady state.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research work was supported by the European Commission, H2020-MSCA-IF (Project reference: 654318).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Russell, Andrew and Zare-Behtash, Dr Hossein and Kontis, Professor Konstantinos and Ukai, Dr Takahiro
• Authors: Ukai, T., Russell, A., Zare-Behtash, H., and Kontis, K.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Physics of Fluids
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• ISSN: 1070-6631
• ISSN (Online): 1089-7666
• Published Online: 21 November 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 American Institute of Physics
• First Published: First published in Physics of Fluids 30(11):116106
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher