Numerical Study on Spanwise Nonuniformity in Body-Force Field of Dielectric-Barrier-Discharge Plasma Actuator

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Numerical Study on Spanwise Nonuniformity in Body-Force Field of Dielectric-Barrier-Discharge Plasma Actuator

Nishida, Hiroyuki / Nonomura, Taku / Abe, Takashi

The discharge plasma evolution of a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator is numerically simulated in the three-dimensional space. The spanwise nonuniformity in the body force field is analyzed, and the validity of the two-dimensional analysis is discussed. A sinusoidal voltage at the electrode is simulated, and the simulation successfully reproduces the characteristics of microdischarge as reported by previous experimental studies. The body force field obtained in the simulation is nonuniform in the spanwise direction, and a strong spanwise force is generated, even from the time-averaged viewpoint. The spanwise-averaged body force field is compared with the two-dimensional simulation result. Although the qualitative characteristics of the body force field in the two-dimensional simulation are the same as in the three-dimensional simulation, the two-dimensional simulation underestimates the chordwise extension of the force field and the force amplitude due to the weaker electric field concentration in the two-dimensional plasma structure. It can be expected that the two-dimensional simulation is useful for preliminary study on the dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator. However, the three-dimensional simulation is indispensable to reproduce the spatial structure of the dielectric barrier discharge plasma, and understanding the interplay between plasma structure and actuator performance is an important aspect of plasma actuator research.