Enhanced thermal effects in three-electrode dielectric barrier discharge with a suspension electrode

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator-based anti-icing and de-icing technology, known for its rapid response and simple structure, has been deployed as a novel anti-icing/de-icing solution. However, the current three-electrode DBD configuration, typified by the sliding discharge (SD), suffers from issues such as poor uniformity in plasma and temperature distribution, low heating rate, and a tendency for spark discharge during sustained operation. To enhance the thermal effects of DBD plasma, this study proposes a three-electrode DBD structure with a suspension electrode. Specifically, the surface electrode (S) is suspended and overlaps with half of the embedded high-voltage electrodes. Experimental results show that, compared with SD, under conditions where the plasma fully covers the surface electrode gap, the three-electrode DBD (TDBD) in this study can achieve a coexistence of both surface DBD and coplanar DBD discharge modes. Within 15 s, an average temperature field of 80 °C can be established, which is only one-tenth of the time required for SD, while achieving a more uniform plasma and temperature distribution on a macroscopic scale. During the first 2 min, the anti-icing/de-icing heat distribution area exceeds twice that of SD. Additionally, the proposed structure is less prone to spark discharge during long-term operation, avoiding the negative effects of spark discharge on device lifespan. In conclusion, the TDBD proposed demonstrates superior thermal effects compared to SD, and its design principles could provide theoretical support for multi-electrode discharge theory and discharge zone control technologies. It is expected to offer valuable insights for the future design of plasma actuators in aviation anti-icing and de-icing applications.