Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T024
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, T024 (2023)
Aerodynamic research of a prototype aerospace propulsion system using air ion mechanics
Rafał Kliza1*, Mirosław Wendeker1
1 Department of Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics And Aircraft Propulsion Systems, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38 street, 20-618, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: j.kisala@pollub.pl
Abstract
Electrical discharge as the driving agent of gases has been known since 1709 as the ion wind. It was discovered that corona discharges around conductors in which a high-voltage electric current flows produce ions moving in an electric field. The electrically charged molecules during their path from the corona electrode to the collector electrode collide with neutral air molecules giving them a velocity. This method of airflow generation can be used in many fields of technology such as cooling devices. A novel way to use corona discharge seems to be to use it to propel unmanned aerial vehicles. The search for alternative propulsion sources and the growing popularity of electric-powered propulsion systems has meant that the Lublin University of Technology is also currently developing this type of aircraft propulsion system. The presented results of the research are the result of work on the implementation of the author’s ion propulsion system for an unmanned motor glider. For this purpose, a faithful copy of the 1450mm span carrier wing from the FOX 3000 motor glider was built. 3D scanning and 3D printing methods were used for this purpose. Next, a dedicated ion array was fabricated, which consisted of five corona electrode holders placed along the leading edge of the wing at approximately 320mm intervals. A 0.08mm tungsten wire corona electrode located 30mm from the leading edge of the wing was stretched across the ends of the corona electrode holders. Aluminum foil was applied to the leading edge of wing to act as a collector electrode. A high voltage reaching 20kV was applied to the system. The research involved testing a wing with a fabricated ion system in a wind tunnel at wind speeds of 5-15 m/s and angles of attack of 0-20 degrees. Three cases were tested. The first case when the wing has no built-in ion system, the second case when the wing has an unattached ion system, and the third case with an attached ion system. The collected test results were analyzed to select the most favorable power supply option. The research was also supplemented with advanced electroaerodynamic simulations performed in COMSOL Multiphysics software. The comparison of physical results with simulation results in the future will be used to better understand the phenomena occurring in the ionic propulsion system and to more effectively develop a computational simulation model of electroaerodynamic flows.
How to cite
R. Kliza, M. Wendeker, 2023. Aerodynamic research of a prototype aerospace propulsion system using air ion mechanics. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T024