ANALYTICAL STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS OF IONIZATION ON FLUID FLOWS
Abstract
Unusually high pressure drops and flow distortions were observed in a previous experimental program involving laminar flow of a gas in a channel under the action of a corona discharge in a transverse electric field. A hypothesis postulated by Velkoff to explain the phenomenon is extended to the case of laminar boundary layer flow over a flat plate. The problem on hand is found to be analogous to the laminar boundary layer flow in a transverse magnetic field. Three other mechanisms proposed to interpret the above experimental findings are also investigated. The increase in viscosity of a gas because of the ions is not likely and, because of the smallness of ion density, the effect on ion- neutral particle interactions on the flow is believed to be small. One possible mechanism which may explain the phenomenon is the secondary flow resulting from electro-hydrodynamic instability. It is found theoretically that Taylor vortices can be induced in a quiescent fluid between two concentric cylinders under the action of a corona discharge. The Taylor Number of the problem is defined and shown to represent the ratio of the destabilizing electrostatic force to the stabilizing viscous force. It is also found that Goertler vortices can occur in laminar boundary layer over a flat plate provided the applied electric field and the charge density distribution satisfy the condition for instability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0657582
Entities
People
- H. Volkoff
- T. Chuang
Organizations
- Ohio State University