Purpose
The purpose of this study is to the modeling of the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator on the Eppler 387 (E387) airfoil in low Reynolds number conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
A validated direct-forcing immersed boundary method is used to solve the governing equations. A linear electric field model is used to simulate the DBD actuator. A ray-casting technique is used to define the geometry.
Findings
The purposed model is validated against the former studies. Next, the drag and lift coefficients in the static stall of the E387 airfoil are investigated. Results show that when the DBD actuator is on, both of the coefficients are increased. The effects of the location, applied voltage and applied frequency are also studied and find that the leading-edge actuator with higher voltage and frequency has better improvement in the forces. Finally, the dynamic stall of the E387 with the DBD actuator is considered. The simulation shows that generally when the DBD is on, the lift coefficient in the pitch-up section has lower values and in the pitch-down has higher values than the DBD off mode.
Practical implications
It is demonstrated that using the DBD actuator on E387 in the low Reynolds number condition can increase the lift and drag forces. Therefore, the application of the airfoil must be considered.
Originality/value
The results show that sometimes the DBD actuator has different effects on E387 airfoil in low Reynolds number mode than the general understanding of this tool.
Retrospective Cost Adaptive Control of Low-Reynolds Number Aerodynamics Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Actuator