ArticleEngineering SciencesInvestigation on 3D flow field induced by a plasma actuator with serrated electrode

This paper presents an experimental investigation on flow field induced by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator with serrated electrodes in still air to further improve its flow control effectiveness. For comparison, the actuator with widely used linear electrodes was also studied. Experiments were carried out using 2D particle image velocimetry. Particular attention was given to the flow topology, discharge phenomenon, and vortex formation mechanism. Results showed that a 2D wall jet was induced by the linear actuators, whereas the plasma actuators with serrated electrode introduced a series of streamwise vorticities, which might benefit flow control (e.g., enhancing the momentum transport in the separated boundary flow). In addition, the mechanism of 3D flow topology induced by the serrated DBD actuator was analyzed in detail.