Direct numerical simulation of compression ramp shock wave/boundary layer interaction controlled by plasma actuator array

Abstract

Direct numerical simulation of compression ramp shock wave/boundary layer interaction controlled by plasma actuator array is performed to gain a comprehensive understanding of its control outcome and mechanism in this paper. The computation model adopts a 24-deg compression ramp at Mach number Ma∞ = 2.0, whose simulation setup all refers to the experimental reports. First, the plasma actuator array is introduced into the Navier–Stokes (N–S) equation by a heating source model, and the corresponding numerical validation is proved in detail. Then, the flow control effect of plasma actuator array is systematically revealed, including the wave drag reduction and flow separation suppression. The results show that the mean shock wave drag can be decreased by 15% and the characteristic length of separation bubble can be reduced by 28%. At last, a new shock wave/boundary layer interaction control mechanism, called as 3D structure reconstruction, is concluded to guide the compression ramp flow control. Namely, by manipulating the quasi-2D shock wave and separation bubble into a 3D structural morphology in spanwise direction, the overall negative effect induced by shock wave/boundary layer interaction can be mitigated.