The structure of perturbations in boundary layer created by a pulsed electric arc in the transversal magnetic field

The paper presents results of experimental study of surface MHD arc actuator as vortex generator in boundary layer. The study was held at flow velocities 20 to 50 m/s. The pulsed arc discharge was organized in external magnetic field. The amplitude of current was varied in the range from 8A to 160A, while pulse duration was from 40 μs up to 380 μs. The flow velocity was measured by PIV method. It was found that the increase of pulse duration leads to increase circulation vortex. The destruction of induced vortex was observed at 40 mm downstream from spark gap.