Turbulent Boundary-Layer Control for Drag Reduction Using Surface Plasma

An investigation into the induced airflow around surface discharge plasma has been performed as a preliminary to skin-friction drag reduction studies. The device studied is a single, symmetric, weakly-ionized RF surface glow discharge plasma actuator designed for the use of boundary layer control. Hot-wire and cold-wire anemometry have been used to study the velocity and temperature distribution around the electrode in initially static air. The plasma appears to couple momentum into the ambient air such that it drives a laminar wall jet away from the electrode centerline. Temperature measurements indicate an ambient air temperature rise of 2°C at 1mm from the plasma and therefore it is unlikely that the flow is buoyancy driven. A maximum velocity of 2.1m/s was observed, indicating the induced flow is large enough for flow control in low speed test facilities.

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