Microplasma Actuator for EHD Induced Flow

Dielectric barrier discharge microplasma actuator was used for flow modification. The actuator was energized at a relatively low discharge voltage of about 1 kV. The movement of incense particles was tracked by the high-speed camera. A modulated ac voltage was applied to electrodes. It was observed using a high-speed camera how the flow velocity and direction was changed at different duty ratios of the applied voltage. The numerical simulation of the flow was carried out using the fluid model, which considers the electric potential to be the combination of the potential due the external electric field and the charge density of plasma. Based on these potentials, the body force was calculated. Furthermore, the body force was implemented in the Navier-Stokes equations and the simulated flow was obtained. The numerical results matched the obtained results in experiments.