Theoretical and experimental investigation of the frequency characteristics of the negative corona discharge in a hot turbulent air jet

The negative corona discharge in a hot turbulent air jet is investigated experimentally and theoretically, within the framework of a discrete dischargemodel making it possible to determine its frequency characteristics. When using the discrete dischargemodel, in contrast to describing the discharge as a continuous electric charge motion, it is assumed that, like in the experiment, the charge is transferred within the discharge space by separate portions. This was noted in an old monograph [1]. Some results on this subject were presented in [2]. In [3], a discrete model of the corona discharge was developed and realized numerically for a system of spherical electrodes in the presence of a hydrodynamic source at the center of the system. In the present study, certain results earlier obtained are generalized. An approximate, using similarity and dimensional methods, model is proposed for the negative corona discharge in a hot turbulent air jet and the frequency discharge characteristics under these conditions are investigated experimentally.     

Corona discharge in a moving gas

Some aspects of the theory of corona discharges in a moving medium are considered. Two situations are analyzed: a corona discharge at a negative electrode under the condition that in the region of electrogasdynamic flow exterior and interior regions of the discharge can be distinguished, the motion of the gas being taken into account only in the exterior region, and corona discharge at a negative electrode under the condition that the effects of the motion of the gas are important in both the exterior and the interior regions of the discharge. For the first situation, a mathmatical generalization is proposed of the traditional model of the interior region, and dimensional and similarity methods are used to obtain functional relationships for the current—voltage characteristics of the discharge in the moving medium. The second situation is investigated for the example of a corona discharge between cylindrical electrodes through which gas is blown or sucked. In this case, the solution to the problem is found without dividing the flow region into exterior and interior regions of the discharge, a system of kinetic equations describing the flow in the complete interelectrode gap being used.     

Initiation and stabilization of combustion at low pressure and temperature by means of a nonequilibrium electric discharge

The pattern of supersonic (M = 2) flow near the surface of a plate at points on which propane jets are injected normal to the air flow direction is investigated. For the initiation and intensification of the chemical reactions a nonequilibrium discharge is used. This is created between an anode oriented along the flow, the plate surface, and a metal interceptor mounted on the plate. The results of a schlieren visualization of the flows developed are presented. Spectroscopic studies show that the distribution of plasmochemical reaction products has a number of fundamental differences as compared with the case of propane injection along the plate surface. A comparative analysis of these distributions for identical gasdynamical experimental conditions is important for testing calculation models of reactive-mixture supersonic flows in which electric discharges are used for ignition and the stabilization of combustion.     

“Bunched” model of corona discharge in a gas-dynamical flow

In the present paper, a theoretical model of corona discharge is proposed for the case when electric charge transport is implemented by means of the motion of discrete charged bunches of finite dimensions. A system of equations and boundary conditions is formulated for the study of unsteady cyclic processes in a corona discharge. The electric field induced by the space charge of bunches and the presence of an external electric circuit are taken into account. A solution of the formulated system of equations for corona discharge with spherical geometry is obtained. The integrated (current-voltage) characteristics and the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the corona discharge are found. The proposed theory is generalized to the case of a corona discharge in a moving gas. The unsteady characteristics of corona discharge with spherical geometry for gas motion in a radial direction are found.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 153–160, January–February, 1986.The authors wish to express their gratitude to V. A. Likhter and V. I. Shul'gin for their useful discussions and valuable observations.     

Equilibrium and stability in a high-current discharge in a dense plasma under conditions of radiative conduction

Equilibrium and stability are examined for a high-current self-compressed discharge:in a dense, optically opaque plasma of finite conductivity, with allowance for dissipation via radiative heat transfer. If the thermal conductivity is high, the plasma temperature is virtually constant throughout the cross-section of the discharge, whereas the density and pressure fall off fairly rapidly away from the axis. The spectrum for small oscillations shows that such an equilibrium discharge is unstable with respect to short-wave hydrodynamic oscillations (bending and necking) if the plasma conductivity is low. Instability can develop only for long-wave perturbations in a cylindrical discharge, and also for a nonequilibrium discharge when the rise time is iess than the equilibration time. A planar equilibrium discharge is stable, while a cylindrical equilibrium discharge in a dense low-temperature plasma is more stable than one in a high-temperature plasma.There have been several discussions of the use of high-current discharges in dense plasmas as light sources for laser pumping. The choice of discharge dimensions is governed by the temperature T of the radiating surface, which should be 3–10 eV. Only ohmic heating can allow one to keep a plasma at such a temperature for a sufficiently long time (around 100 vsec). On the other hand, hydrodynamic instabilities (bends, necks, hot spots) can arise in a dense plasma carrying a current, which can lead to current interruption and plasma dispersal (see [1] for literature). Stability is therfore a major problem in the use of such discharges as light sources. However, it is not correct to apply the theory of [1] to such discharges, since this theory is for a not very dense, hot. transparent plasma under conditions such that radiation does not play a major part in the development of the discharge, whereas a discharge in a dense, optically opaque plasma is best as a light source. Such a plasma can have considerable radiative energy transfer, which can influence the entire character of the discharge. Moreover, effects due to the finite conductivity (diffusion of electric and magnetic fields) may play major parts at these relatively low temperatures. Here we present a theoretical discussion of the equilibrium and stability of a high-current discharge in a dense, optically opaque plasma having a finite conductivity and considerable radiative heat transfer.We are indebted to G. V. Mikhailov and V. B. Rozanov for many discussions.     

Electrical and mechanical characteristics of surface AC dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators applied to airflow control

The present paper is a wide review on AC surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuators applied to airflow control. Both electrical and mechanical characteristics of surface DBD are presented and discussed. The first half of the present paper gives the last results concerning typical single plate-to-plate surface DBDs supplied by a sine high voltage. The discharge current, the plasma extension and its morphology are firstly analyzed. Then, time-averaged and time-resolved measurements of the produced electrohydrodynamic force and of the resulting electric wind are commented. The second half of the paper concerns a partial list of approaches having demonstrated a significant modification in the discharge behavior and an increasing of its mechanical performances. Typically, single DBDs can produce mean force and electric wind velocity up to 1 mN/W and 7 m/s, respectively. With multi-DBD designs, velocity up to 11 m/s has been measured and force up to 350 mN/m.     

Point-to-plane corona discharge for high-speed reacting flow visualization

We present the results of a novel technique for the high-speed visualization of a flame reaction zone using a streamer-initiated point-to-plane unipolar pulsed corona discharge. Our results show images of the flame front under conditions of natural hydrodynamic flame instability, as well as external air flow modulation induced flame instability. This technique can potentially be used as a high-speed 2-D flow visualization diagnostic tool to monitor flow instabilities in reacting and non-reacting fluids that have a density gradient. We also show that this technique does not modify the flame characteristics in any measurable way, if the high electric field region of the streamer/corona discharge is located in the downstream region.     

Measuring void fraction and velocity fields of a stepped spillway for skimming flow using non-intrusive methods

Stepped spillways have higher energy dissipation than smoother hydraulic structures used to divert flood discharges. The inception point related to air entrainment is, however, located further upstream causing an undesired bulking of the flow depth. For large discharge rates and for straight stepped spillways, the skimming flow regime may be assumed two dimensional; this is an attractive feature for the application of non-intrusive flow visualization techniques because these methods measure the flow characteristics in the vicinity of the sidewalls which are likely to correlate with the flow at the centre of the flume. This paper tests the hypothesis that such techniques can be used to measure the flow inside the flume. The hypothesis is tested against measurements taken with an intrusive probe. Void fraction contour lines and velocity fields are obtained in 12 different stepped spillway configurations using the image processing procedure and the bubble image velocimetry, respectively. The void fraction and velocity results are overall consistent with the probe measurements. The velocity fields show a persistent underestimation of the probe measurements which can at least be partially explained by sidewall effects and possible probe’s overestimation.     

Effect of parameters of the discharge circuit on the mode of energy input into the gas in a self-sustained discharge

A model is proposed for calculating the characteristics of volumetric gas discharges used in the pumping of electric-discharge lasers. The dependence of the mode of energy input into the plasma of the gas discharge on the parameters of the discharge circuit is discussed.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No. 2, pp. 42–46, March–April, 1976.In conclusion, the authors thank Yu. D. Korolev for useful discussions.     

Control of separation phenomena in a high-speed flow by means of the surface electric discharge

The results of an experimental and theoretical investigation of the interaction between a surface electric discharge and a supersonic air flow in a constant cross-section channel are given. The features of the generation of the surface discharge in the flow are described. A model of the interaction is proposed. The regime of gasdynamic screening of a mechanical obstacle on the channel wall is investigated. Data on the change in the main flow parameters as a result of the generation of a surface discharge are given. The experimental results are compared with the results of calculations based on a simplified model of the interaction.     

Effect of a space-time source structure simulating a dielectric barrier discharge on the laminar boundary layer

The time-dependent pulse-periodic action of a surface electric discharge on a flat-plate laminar boundary layer is simulated theoretically. The effect of the discharge is estimated within the framework of the numerical solution of the boundary value problem for the time-dependent two-dimensional compressible boundary layer with additional terms in the momentum and energy conservation equations simulating the force and thermal action of the discharge on the gas flow with allowance for the pressure gradient across the boundary layer induced by the corresponding body force component. The effect of certain parameters of the problem formulated above on the gas velocity induced by the discharge in the boundary layer is also estimated.     

Numerical simulation of an electric discharge in supersonic flow

The two-dimensional problem of supersonic air flow past a spherical electrode is considered on the basis of a joint solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for a neutral gas and the charged-particle transport equations in the diffusion-drift approximation. The self-sustained discharge is considered in the cathode regime of operation of the test electrode in a formulation analogous to that of the experimental study [1]. The thermal and non-thermal (action of the electrostatic force in the cathode layer of the space charge) mechanisms of action of the discharge on the flow field are investigated. Within the framework of the numerical model considered the effect of the electrostatic force turns out to be negligibly small and the main effect of the action on the flow is the heat release driven by the electric currents. The influence of the discharge on the flow field was manifested itself in a reduction of the aerodynamic drag by up to 25%.     

Control of diffuser jet flow: turbulent kinetic energy and jet spreading enhancements assisted by a non-thermal plasma discharge

An axisymmetric air jet exhausting from a 22-degree-angle diffuser is investigated experimentally by particle image velocimetry (PIV) and stereo-PIV measurements. Two opposite dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuators are placed along the lips of the diffuser in order to force the mixing by a co-flow actuation. The electrohydrodynamic forces generated by both actuators modify and excite the turbulent shear layer at the diffuser jet exit. Primary air jet velocities from 10 to 40 m/s are studied (Reynolds numbers ranging from 3.2 to 12.8 × 10⁴), and baseline and forced flows are compared by analysing streamwise and cross-stream PIV fields. The mixing enhancement in the near field region is characterized by the potential core length, the centreline turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), the integrated value of the TKE over various slices along the jet, the turbulent Reynolds stresses and the vorticity fields. The time-averaged fields demonstrate that an effective increase in mixing is achieved by a forced flow reattachment along the wall of the diffuser at 10 m/s, whereas mixing enhancement is realized by excitation of the coherent structures for a primary velocity of 20 and 30 m/s. The actuation introduces two pairs of contra-rotating vortices above each actuator. These structures entrain the higher speed core fluid toward the ambient air. Unsteady actuations over Strouhal numbers ranging from 0.08 to 1 are also studied. The results suggest that the excitation at a Strouhal number around 0.3 is more effective to enhance the turbulence kinetic energy in the near-field region for primary jet velocity up to 30 m/s.     

Strain and work-hardening in a coulomb-type granular medium

Equations are given for the elastoplastic strain of a granular medium together with experimental relationships for sands. Equations for the characteristics are drawn up in general form for the two-dimensional case. It is shown that experimental data on the dilatancy rate as a function of the angle of internal friction reflect the condition for orthogonality of the characteristics of the velocity distribution to the direction of the dry-friction forces in the sliding areas. The flow in a shear tester is discussed. The calculation from the universal relationships agrees with experiment.     

Measurement of shock waves velocity in the air plasma of capacitively coupled RF discharge

The velocity of shock wave propagation in the air plasma of stationary capacitively coupled RF discharge at different gas pressure and charged particles concentration has been measured. It is shown, that the velocity of the shock wave increases at the increase of the concentration. Measurement results are brought to the universal dependence. Received 17 August 1998 / Accepted 10 December 1999     

Sliding of a spherical indenter on a viscoelastic foundation with the forces of molecular attraction taken into account

The problem of sliding of a spherical indenter on a viscoelastic foundation is solved in a quasistatic formulation taking account the forces of adhesive attraction which are considered different at the entrance to and exit from the contact region due to changes in the surface properties during the interaction. It is found that the contact characteristics and the frictional force due to the imperfect elasticity of the foundation depend on the surface and bulk properties of the materials of the interacting bodies and the interaction conditions (load, velocity, etc.).     

Determination of hydrodynamic load on the wall of a wellbore formed by an electric discharge

Hydrodynamic processes in the discharge chamber of a device intended to increase the fluid conductivity of the porous medium in the well bottom zone are studied. Spatial and temporal characteristics of the pressure waves resulting from an electric discharge in a fluid are determined. The effect of the performance of the electricdischarge device and the wellbore fluid pressure on the dynamic load acting on the wellbore wall are determined.     

Thermo-gravitational convection in a continuous optical discharge

The relative importance of such processes as the free convective motion of the gas, the absorption of the laser radiation and radiative heat transfer is discussed. The burning of a continuous optical discharge under experimental conditions [6] is theoretically investigated. The two-dimensional problem of the convective motion of the gas in an optical discharge burning in a vertical CO₂ laser beam inside a cylindrical chamber is solved. The principal characteristics of thermogravitational convection of the radiating air under conditions of local thermodynamic equilibrium at atmospheric pressure are studied on the temperature interval from 300 to 20 000°K.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 124–129, July–August, 1989.     

Control of the vortex flow around a cone with a spark discharge

A subsonic flow around a cone mounted at an angle of attack is considered. A separated flow is formed on the cone with formation of a pair of large-scale streamwise vortices arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically, depending on flow parameters. The possibility of controlling the vortex flow by means of an electric discharge is studied in experiments. It is demonstrated that the use of an electric discharge makes it possible both to transform an asymmetric flow to symmetric and to generate directed asymmetry. Controlling the flow asymmetry, in turn, allows the side force direction to be controlled.     

Effect of a dielectric barrier discharge on laminar-turbulent transition on a flat plate in a disturbed external flow

Numerical simulation is applied to study the distinctive features of the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) effect on laminar-turbulent transition on a flat plate in the presence of disturbances in the external flow. The density distributions of the electric force and the discharge power acting on the gas are assumed to be uniform within the given discharge volume. To model the external disturbances the value of the turbulent viscosity in the differential model used is assumed to be nonzero at the boundary layer edge.