Interrelation between a single impacting droplet and a surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator

The anti-/de-icing method employing Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators have gained considerable attention for aircraft applications, owing to their compact structure, fast response, minimal weight, and ease of integration. Despite extensive research over the past decade, the physical mechanisms governing anti-/de-icing based on SDBD plasma actuators remain inadequately understood. In particular, the mutual interactions between impinging water droplets and the flow fields created by SDBD plasma actuators have not been fully explored. This work experimentally investigates the dynamic coupling between a single impacting droplet and a SDBD plasma actuator using infrared thermography and high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The evolution of droplet morphology and the induced flow field are discussed throughout the droplet impact process, including free fall, spreading, and recoiling stages. Based on the measured data, a predictive model is developed to estimate the maximum spreading ratio of droplets under plasma actuation within limited ranges of Reynolds and Weber numbers.