Numerical study of aerodynamic flow in planar plasma actuator

• Κύριος συγγραφέας: Σταματίου-Κώνστας, Σταμάτης
• Άλλοι συγγραφείς: Stamatiou-Konstas, Stamatis
• Γλώσσα: English
• Έκδοση: 2020
• Θέματα: DBD plasma actuator; Flow control; OpenFOAM; Ενεργοποιητής πλάσματος τύπου DBD; Έλεγχος ροής

The target of this thesis is the simulation of the aerodynamic flow, of a plasma actuator using a compressible and an incompressible solver, and the comparison of their results, for various mean charge densities. Firstly, a definition of a plasma actuator is given, its main principles are explained, and a comparison with other flow control devices is made. The basic plasma actuator types are analyzed. The problem is divided into the numerical study of the plasma and the numerical study of the fluid. The mathematical expressions are given and the coupling of the plasma with the fluid is explained. The numerical approach of the problem is analyzed describing the geometry of the actuator and the boundary conditions that were used. Moreover, the algorithms for solving both the electrostatic and the fluid dynamic equations were discussed, for both the compressible and incompressible case. Finally, after conducting a grid convergence study, the results of the two solvers, for all the values of the mean electric charge density that were examined, are presented. From the results, it is concluded that the incompressible solver introduces additional vortices, in relation to the compressible solver and reality, which phenomenon increases with the increase of mean charge density. That is why for high mean charge densities and when the flow field away of the actuator is of interest, the compressible solver is suggested to be used.