Numerical investigation of flow separation control in an axial compressor cascade by plasma actuation

Interest in plasma actuator as an active flow control has grown rapidly in the last years. Plasma actuator consists of a pair of electrodes that are separated by a dielectric material. Applying voltage to the electrodes, results in a body force that act on the flow field and is used in order to control it. Plasma actuator by imparting momentum is able to tangentially accelerate the flow field that can be used for flow control purpose such as boundary layer transition control, drag reduction, lift enhancement, and flow separation control. This work involves the documentation and control of leading-edge separation control that occurs on an axial compressor cascade at high angle of attack. To study the effect of control technique, a 2-D numerical investigation were performed in presence of varying plasma actuator voltage and location in different flow characteristics such as stream line, pressure and lift-to-drag ratio. The results show that plasma actuator reduce energy losses and a lift-to-drag ratio enhanced of up to 18% can be obtain by using plasma actuator at 15% of the blade chord length. The control effect obtain by the plasma actuator in low Reynolds number is more effective and Increasing the applied voltage improves the performance of the compressor cascade by increasing the induced body force.