Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technology, noted for its absence of moving mechanical
parts and silent operation, has attracted significant interest in plane
propulsion. However, its low thrust and efficiency remain key challenges
hindering broader adoption. This study investigates methods to enhance the
propulsion and efficiency of EHD systems, by examining the electrohydrodynamic
flow within a wire-cylinder corona structure through both experimental and
numerical approaches. A multi-wire-cylinder positive corona discharge
experimental platform was established using 3D printing technology, and
measurements of flow velocity, voltage, and current at the cathode outlet were
conducted. A two-dimensional simulation model for multi-wire-cylinder positive
corona discharge was developed using Navier-Stokes equations and FLUENT
user-defined functions (UDF), with the simulation results validated against
experimental data. The analysis focused on the effects of varying anode
diameters and the distances between the anode and cathode on flow velocity,
voltage, and current, as well as the influence of charge density intensity and
distribution of ionic wind and flow velocity. The experimental results
demonstrated that an anode diameter of 0.3 mm yielded the highest flow velocity,
reaching 0.94 m/s. Additionally, the study highlighted the critical role of
charge density in enhancing flow velocity, showing that increased charge density
could improve propulsion and efficiency. These findings suggest that optimizing
charge density and electrode parameters can potentially overcome the current
efficiency limitations of EHD engines, paving the way for their broader
application in propulsion systems.