{"title":"Multi-objective optimization of DBD plasma actuator characteristics for turbulent flow separation control over airfoils","authors":"A. Rahni, A. Jahangirian","doi":"10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2025.102951","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The optimal characteristics of a plasma actuator for effective control of high Reynolds number turbulent flow separation around airfoils are investigated. The actuator position on the airfoil and its voltage are chosen as variable parameters. A multi-objective optimization using a Genetic Algorithm is used with two objective functions of maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and minimizing power consumption. The numerical simulation of the plasma actuator effect on the flow is carried out using Maxwell equations for the electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) field coupled with Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations through the Suzen model. An algorithm is developed to automatically adjust the actuator position, generate the mesh, and analyze the flow for a Reynolds number of one million. A detailed analysis of the results revealed that the actuator position significantly impacts aerodynamic efficiency, depending on the airfoil type and voltage applied to the actuator. Further study is carried out to investigate the separation control by plasma actuator over two airfoils with similar thicknesses, i.e., NACA0012 and NACA4412. Results indicated that the optimal actuator position for the symmetric airfoil is the leading edge, while that of the cambered airfoil (NACA4412) is near the middle of the airfoil. Furthermore, increasing the voltage beyond a specific threshold results in a rise in the drag coefficient, thereby diminishing the aerodynamic efficiency. The optimization analysis ultimately demonstrated that the peak aerodynamic efficiency for NACA0012 and NACA4412 airfoils is achieved at distinct voltage levels, specifically 18 kV and 21–22 kV, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50440,"journal":{"name":"Flow Measurement and Instrumentation","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 102951"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Flow Measurement and Instrumentation","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955598625001438","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The optimal characteristics of a plasma actuator for effective control of high Reynolds number turbulent flow separation around airfoils are investigated. The actuator position on the airfoil and its voltage are chosen as variable parameters. A multi-objective optimization using a Genetic Algorithm is used with two objective functions of maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and minimizing power consumption. The numerical simulation of the plasma actuator effect on the flow is carried out using Maxwell equations for the electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) field coupled with Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations through the Suzen model. An algorithm is developed to automatically adjust the actuator position, generate the mesh, and analyze the flow for a Reynolds number of one million. A detailed analysis of the results revealed that the actuator position significantly impacts aerodynamic efficiency, depending on the airfoil type and voltage applied to the actuator. Further study is carried out to investigate the separation control by plasma actuator over two airfoils with similar thicknesses, i.e., NACA0012 and NACA4412. Results indicated that the optimal actuator position for the symmetric airfoil is the leading edge, while that of the cambered airfoil (NACA4412) is near the middle of the airfoil. Furthermore, increasing the voltage beyond a specific threshold results in a rise in the drag coefficient, thereby diminishing the aerodynamic efficiency. The optimization analysis ultimately demonstrated that the peak aerodynamic efficiency for NACA0012 and NACA4412 airfoils is achieved at distinct voltage levels, specifically 18 kV and 21–22 kV, respectively.
期刊介绍:
Flow Measurement and Instrumentation is dedicated to disseminating the latest research results on all aspects of flow measurement, in both closed conduits and open channels. The design of flow measurement systems involves a wide variety of multidisciplinary activities including modelling the flow sensor, the fluid flow and the sensor/fluid interactions through the use of computation techniques; the development of advanced transducer systems and their associated signal processing and the laboratory and field assessment of the overall system under ideal and disturbed conditions.
FMI is the essential forum for critical information exchange, and contributions are particularly encouraged in the following areas of interest:
Modelling: the application of mathematical and computational modelling to the interaction of fluid dynamics with flowmeters, including flowmeter behaviour, improved flowmeter design and installation problems. Application of CAD/CAE techniques to flowmeter modelling are eligible.
Design and development: the detailed design of the flowmeter head and/or signal processing aspects of novel flowmeters. Emphasis is given to papers identifying new sensor configurations, multisensor flow measurement systems, non-intrusive flow metering techniques and the application of microelectronic techniques in smart or intelligent systems.
Calibration techniques: including descriptions of new or existing calibration facilities and techniques, calibration data from different flowmeter types, and calibration intercomparison data from different laboratories.
Installation effect data: dealing with the effects of non-ideal flow conditions on flowmeters. Papers combining a theoretical understanding of flowmeter behaviour with experimental work are particularly welcome.