Three-dimensional simulation of a microplasma pump

Abstract

We present a three-dimensional simulation of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) using the finite element based multiscale ionized gas (MIG) flow code. The two-species hydrodynamic plasma model coupled Poisson equation and Navier-Stokes equation are solved using MIG flow code to predict complicated flow structure inside a plasma induced micropump. The advantage of such a micropump is rapid on/off switching without any moving parts. Results show a reasonable distribution for ion and electron densities as well as an electric field. The key factors of microplasma pump design are the location of actuators and input voltage. The flow rate of the microplasma pump is on the order of ml min −1 . Such a flow rate may be beneficial for micropropulsion in space.

Three-dimensional effects of curved plasma actuators in quiescent air

“…The threedimensional equations for determining concentrations of positive ions n i and electrons n e together with Poisson equation for electric field vector E (:E x , E y , E z ) are described in prior publication. 15 The discharge is maintained using a Townsend ionization scheme. The charged species b (: e,i) is given by the drift-diffusion approximation as n b…”

Plasma channel flows: Electro-fluid dynamic jets

“…Recently, the concept of a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) driven channel flow has been introduced. 1 In this arrangement, each surface mounted plasma actuator creates its own semi-bounded wall jet, which is confined to a channel coalesces downstream to form a plug flow like velocity profile at the outlet. The average outlet velocity of this channel is found to be a function of number of actuators as well as the applied voltage (for a given geometry).…”

Energy and force prediction for a nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge actuator

“…There are a few ways to sustain non-equilibrium plas-47 mas with low input applied voltage such as microscale 48 discharges [7][8][9] and nanosecond pulsed discharges. [10][11][12] 49 Macheret et al 5 presented analytical calculations showing that power budget in nanosecond pulsed discharges can be significantly lower than that in dc discharges.…”