Laminar Boundary Layer Flow with DBD Plasma Actuation

Abstract

The framework of self-similar laminar boundary layer flow solutions is extended to include the effect of actuation with body force fields resembling those generated by DBD plasma actuators. The deduction line is similar to previous work investigating the effect of porous wall suction on laminar boundary layers. The starting point of the analysis is a generalised form of the Boundary Layer Partial Differential Equations (BL-PDEs) that includes volume force terms. Actuation force distributions are defined such that the volume force term of the BL-PDE equations conforms to the requirements of similarity. New similarity parameters for the plasma strength and thickness are identified. The procedure yields a general similarity equation which includes the effect of pressure gradients, wall transpiration and DBD plasma actuation. Select numerical solutions of the new similarity equation are presented to develop instinctive understanding and prompt a discussion on the construction of new closure relations for integral boundary layer models.