Numerical Investigation on the Use of Plasma Actuators for Separation Control in Over-Expanded Nozzles
Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/Report › Conference contribution › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Within the context of the ESA-funded PARSEC activity, this work investigates the use of plasma actuators to control flow separation in over-expanded rocket nozzles. A parametric two-dimensional numerical study is conducted in preparation for a forthcoming subscale cold-flow experiment at Technische Universität Dresden. RANS simulations are performed using an in-house finite-volume solver, modeling the quasi-DC plasma actuator as a localized volumetric heat source. The actuator location and input power are varied to qualitatively assess their influence on the nozzle flow field under steady over-expanded conditions at a fixed nozzle pressure ratio. An additional high-temperature simulation performed with the Ansys® Fluent software is used to verify that high-temperature effects have a limited impact on the flow behavior under the simulated conditions. The results show that plasma-induced heating can significantly modify the separation pattern and, in some cases, promote attached flow, while insufficient power provides limited control authority.
Details
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 |
| Publisher | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA) |
| ISBN (print) | 9781624107658 |
| Publication status | Published - 2026 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Publication series
| Series | AIAA SCITECH Forum |
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Conference
| Title | 2026 AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition |
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| Subtitle | Breaking Barriers Together: Boundless Discovery |
| Abbreviated title | AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 |
| Duration | 12 - 16 January 2026 |
| Location | Hyatt Regency Orlando |
| City | Orlando |
| Country | United States of America |
External IDs
| ORCID | /0000-0002-5710-6530/work/208071385 |
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