Symmetry groups and similarity analysis for boundary layer control over a wedge using electric forces

In this paper, we consider the control of laminar, incompressible boundary layer for the ionized air flow over a flat plate and wedges through the application of an electric field. Group theory is used to find equivalence transformations of the resulting boundary layer equations. These transformations in turn reveal forms of the electric field function which lead to reductions of the equations via similarity variables. Differences in boundary layer thickness growth and velocity profiles as well as wall shear stresses are shown for the specific choices of the electric field function. The effects of suction and blowing type of boundary conditions are also demonstrated. The applied electric fields lead to a thinning of boundary layer thickness and an increase in wall shear stress. They are also shown to stabilize the velocity component profiles and suppress flow separation in reentrant corners.