Schlieren imaging in a dielectric barrier discharge actuator for airflow control

The operation of a surface dielectric barrier discharge actuator for airflow control has been experimentally investigated. The actuator is constituted by an electrode pair separated by a dielectric Teflon sheet. Several ac supply conditions have been utilized. An electrohydrodynamics interaction was induced in still air, and several fluid-dynamic regimes were obtained. Visualization of the plasma boundary layer during the discharge ignition phase and during the steady state regime was obtained by utilizing a Schlieren diagnostic technique. The vortex morphology and propagation velocities at all supply conditions utilized have been evaluated. Velocity profiles perpendicular to the actuator surface, obtained from Pitot tube measurements, and line intensity profiles, determined by means of Schlieren imaging, have been determined for the steady regime operation. The integral along a line perpendicular to the actuator surface of the light intensity of the Schlieren image has been calculated. The profile obtained is in good agreement with the Pitot velocity profile in all the supply conditions investigated. Numerical simulations were also performed. The calculations confirm the relation between the flow velocity distribution in the boundary layer and the gas density distribution, which is the cause of the Schlieren image.