DBD Plasma Actuators for Aerodynamic Flow Control: A Review

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators (PAs) are devices used to control airflow. DBD actuators generate an electric field that accelerates ionized air particles, inducing localized flow modifications. Among other applications, they are particularly effective for enhancing cooling, for aerodynamic drag reduction, and for lift enhancement, therefore capable of improving stall characteristics. In addition, they offer several distinct advantages, such as rapid response time, low power consumption, and no moving parts. The present review paper aims to summarize the main governing equations associated with the most common phenomenological PA Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, Shyy and Suzen-Huang, as well as highlight the major applications to flat plates, wind turbine airfoils and entire wind turbines. The application of DBD plasma actuators on individual wind turbine blades, as well as dynamic horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines, is reviewed, drawing from key numerical and experimental investigations. The simulated performance of various configurations of single and multiple PAs on representative airfoils at different chordwise locations is discussed. The overall findings indicate that the chordwise location of the actuators on airfoils and their optimum spanwise placement on small and large wind turbine blades, along with the geometry and excitation parameters of the actuators, play a crucial role in their performance, affecting the boundary layer and the flow pattern. The reader shall obtain an overall idea of the most recent aerodynamic applications of PAs as well as their expected efficiency.