Characteristics of a surface dielectric barrier discharge actuator with face-to-face anodes

In this paper, we present a numerical study on a nanosecond-pulse controlled surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) actuator, with face-to-face anodes confined in a groove which is a type of aerodynamic regulation via nonplanar surface. The results indicate that, in comparison with a single anode discharge, space limitation effect together with intensified space charge strengthen ohmic heating and electrohydrodynamic force. On one hand, the increased ohmic heating in the confined space between the two dielectric barriers significantly enhances induced pressure perturbation and gas velocity, with different amplitudes inversely proportional to the barrier gap distance. Furthermore, the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) force density between the dielectric barriers is observed globally in the face-to-face discharge, much larger area than that of the single anode discharge. Also, to understand underlying mechanisms of the gap distance influence, discharge parameters, such as evolution of space charge and electrohydrodynamic force related to the gap distance in the groove, are studied. The investigation shows that SDBD in the grooved structure has a great potential in industrial applications of active flow control.