Preliminary investigation on NS-DBD Plasma Actuator
For active Flow Separation Control
Giuseppe Correale (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Fulvio Scarano – Mentor (TU Delft - Flow Physics and Technology)
Leo Veldhuis – Mentor (TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion)
Steven Hulshoff – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerodynamics)
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Abstract
The results of a preliminary experimental research on a Nanosecond Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator are presented in this document. For carrying out such a research, experiments were performed in the low speed facilities of Delft University of Technology. Four wind tunnels and several data acquisition techniques have been used in order to investigate the physical actuation mechanism that a NS-DBD plasma actuator is able to achieve. Leading Edge Flow Separation Control has been demonstrated at a Reynolds number up to 3.3 millions, and with a Mach number about 0.3. Set-ups of tests like Schlieren or PIV and results of such tests have been shown and discussed in this report. For industrial application the issue of applicability rose up. A scalability study has shown the capability of the NS-DBD Plasma Actuator of working on different scales. From a phenomenological study several actuation principles have been derived. Moreover, from the large data set that was obtained possible physical mechanisms that underlay the NS-DBD plasma actuation have been proposed. The most remarkable results achieved are: maximum lift coefficient increased about 20% with respect to its theoretical maximum, stall angle delayed about 5 degrees, drag due to the wake reduced about 300% in a leading edge flow separated condition. Eventually possible outlook and future research aimed to get the plasma actuator at an “industrial” stage is proposed. This experimental study has been carried out as a joined project between Delft University of Technology and NEQLab Research BV. The first one supported the project with knowledge and facilities, the second one with technology, equipments and manpower.