Development characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge channels with rotating high-voltage electrodes

Abstract Based on a homemade novel dielectric barrier discharge actuator with a rotating high-voltage electrode, this study investigates the influence of electrode rotating speed on the discharge characteristics, and the mechanisms of discharge process under rotary conditions are discussed. The results demonstrate that when the high-voltage electrode is rotating, the distribution patterns of dielectric barrier discharge and the parameters of micro-discharge channels exhibit significant changes. Under a low rotating speed, the discharge patterns present as a series of separated discharge channels, resulting in uniform charge distribution but uneven electric field distribution in the gap. As the rotating speed increases, the electric field and the discharge channels will be affected by the rotation, so the electric field is more evenly distributed in the gap, and the discharge mode changes to a quasi-uniform discharge. With increasing distance from the rotation axis, the electric field strength gradually decreases, and the electric field force experienced by the micro-discharge channels during its formation weakens. Consequently, the average size of the micro-discharge channels increases, indicating that these channels are gradually stretched. The rotation of the electrode generates a significant number of accumulated charges, impacting the number of micro-discharge channels. The number of micro-discharge channels at the center of the electrode increases with rotating speed; however, due to channel stretching, the average size of the micro-discharge channels at the edge of the electrode also increases, leading to a decrease in their overall quantity. The research results reveal the significant impact of the electrode rotation on the characteristics of discharge channels, providing a theoretical basis for further optimal design of the rotating dielectric barrier discharge in various application.