Modeling of glow discharge-induced fluid dynamics

Modeling of fluid dynamics and the associated heat transfer induced by plasma between two parallel electrodes is investigated. In particular, we consider a capacitvely coupled radio frequency discharge plasma generator, where the plasma is generated on the surface of a dielectric circuit board with electrode strips on the top and bottom. The electrodes have a thickness of 100 mum, which is comparable to the height of the boundary layer. The regime considered is that the electron component is in the non-equilibrium state, and the plasma is nonthermal. Overall, due to the ion and large fluid particle interaction, the pressure is higher in the downstream of the electrode, causing the velocity structure to resemble that of a wall jet. Parameters related to the electrode operation, including the voltage, frequency, and free stream speed are varied to investigate the characteristics of the plasma-induced flow. Consistent with the experimental observation, the model shows a clear dependence of the induced jet velocity on the applied voltage and frequency. The heat flux exhibited a similar dependence on the strength of the plasma. The present plasma-induced flow concept can be useful for thermal management and active flow control. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.