  Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow induced by planar corona discharge in the wall
boundary layer region is investigated experimentally and via a multiphysics
computational model. The EHD phenomena has many potential engineering
applications, its optimization requires a mechanistic understanding of the ion
and flow transport. The corona EHD actuator consisting of two electrodes
located in the wall boundary layer creates an EHD driven wall jet. The applied
voltage between the electrodes is varied and the resulting effects in the
charge density and flow field are measured. Constant current hotwire anemometry
is used to measure velocity profile. The airflow near the wall acts a jet and
it reaches a maximum of 1.7 m/s with an energy conversion efficiency of ~2%.
The velocity decreases sharply in the normal direction. Multiphysics numerical
model couples ion transport equation and the Navier Stokes equations to solve
for the spatiotemporal distribution of electric field, charge density and flow
field. The numerical results match experimental data shedding new insights into
mass, charge and momentum transport phenomena. The EHD driven flow can be
applied to flow control strategies and design of novel particle collectors.
