Numerical Simulation of Aerodynamic Plasma Actuator Effects – SINAPS

The ASTRID project aims to perform numerical simulations of the interaction of flow with plasma actuator. Three groups of plasma actuators have been identified. The first one aim to deposit energy in a supersonic flow in general by microwave or pulsed laser. The second one uses the principle of DBD (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) and it works with flow of several tens of meters per second. The third one concerns synthetic jets, that induce plasma jets up to 200m I s . The scientific challenge of SINAPS is improving the understanding of the interaction between the actuators and the flow. We intend to perform numerical simulations of flows in the presence of plasmas generated by these three groups of actuators. Computational tools (model code modules, ...) to achieve reliable numerical experiments will also be developed during this project, they should improve the design of new actuators in aerodynamic configurations of interest and contribute significantly to optimizing the aerodynamic performance of aircraft.
Some partners of the project are involved in the NATO AVT 190 group. lt aims to establish a reliable database of experimental and numerical work for plasma actuators on cases standardized tests carried out jointly by different laboratories in US and Europe. The proposed works in SINAPS will benefit from international exchanges necessary to the validation of complex numerical calculations either by experiment or by comparison with other models.
These applications in SINAPS are dual: they concern the improvement of performance of military and civilian aircraft such as drag reduction of pressure or friction and improved maneuverability. They also cover issues of the aviation industry of the future environmental challenges of the next twenty years.