Effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge on the Airflow Around a Cylinder

Fluids in a dielectric barrier glow discharge at atmospheric pressure have attracted interest from communities of thermo and fluid dynamics, as well as control. This work investigated the effects of a plasma actuator, operating at 8.0 kV and 4.4 kHz, on the pressure distribution around a polyvinyl chloride circular cylinder in low-velocity airflow. The experiment was repeated with the actuator at various angles. The results show an acceleration of the flow demonstrated by a 60% lower pressure coefficient at the actuator area. The flow separation was also delayed by an angle of as much as 30 degrees. These effects were shown to be greater when the actuator was positioned at an angle closer to the separation area.