Delay of finite-span excrescence-induced transition using plasma-based control

Direct numerical simulations are carried out to explore the use of flow control that delays transition generated by excrescence on a plate-like geometry in subsonic flow. Both forward-facing and rearward-facing steps of small roughness heights are considered in the investigation. These are representative of joints and other surface imperfections on wing sections that disrupt laminar flow, thereby increasing skin friction and configuration drag. Unlike previous studies, the steps have a finite lateral extent, such that sharp edges occur in both the spanwise and streamwise directions, and provide a more realistic characterisation of misaligned panels in aerodynamic configurations. The effect of spanwise corners upon transition is examined, and dielectric barrier discharge plasma-based flow control is applied to delay transition and increase the extent of the laminar flow region. Solutions are obtained to the Navier– Stokes equations that were augmented by source terms used to represent body forces imparted by plasma actuators on the fluid. A simple phenomenological model provided these forces resulting from the electric field generated by the plasma. The numerical method is based upon a high-fidelity scheme and an implicit time-marching approach, on an overset mesh system that is used to represent the finite-span steps. Very small-amplitude numerical forcing is employed to generate perturbations, which are amplified by the geometric disturbances and result in transition, similar to the physical situation. Both continuous and pulsed operations of actuators are considered, and the effectiveness of the control is quantified. Transition with the forward-facing step is considerably exacerbated by the presence of a spanwise edge. Plasma control is minimally effective, even with the use of multiple actuators and increased applied force. For the rearward-facing step, transition is substantially delayed by plasma control with small force application.