Characterization of surface plasma-induced wall flows through velocity and temperature measurements

An investigation into the induced airflow around weakly ionized surface glow discharge plasma has been performed in initially static air to study radio-frequency plasma actuators designed for the use of boundary-layer control. Hot-wire and cold-wire anemometry have been used to study the velocity and temperature distribution around a symmetric and an asymmetric electrode configuration. The plasma appears to couple momentum into the ambient air such that it drives a laminar wall jet away from the electrode centerline. Temperature measurements indicate an air temperature rise of 2 degrees C at 1 mm from the plasma, and the flow does not appear to be buoyancy driven. A maximum velocity of 2.5 m/s was observed, indicating the induced flow will be strong enough for flow control applications in low-speed test facilities.