Aerodynamic Characteristics of Shark Scale-Based Vortex Generators upon Symmetrical Airfoil

S. Arunvinthan, V.S. Raatan, S. Nadaraja Pillai, Amjad A. Pasha, M. M. Rahman and Khalid A. Juhany
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S. Arunvinthan: Turbulence and Flow Control Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613401, India
V.S. Raatan: Turbulence and Flow Control Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613401, India
S. Nadaraja Pillai: Turbulence and Flow Control Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613401, India
Amjad A. Pasha: Department of Aerospace Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
M. M. Rahman: Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
Khalid A. Juhany: Department of Aerospace Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: A series of wind tunnel tests were carried out to determine the effect of shark scale-based vortex generators (SSVG) on a NACA 0015 symmetrical airfoil’s aerodynamic characteristics. Three different sets of SSVG with varying geometrical parameters, such as chord length, amplitude, and wavelength, were designed and fabricated using 3D printing. The SSVG models were blended to the baseline NACA 0015 symmetrical airfoil. The wind tunnel experiments were performed over the test airfoil mounted with different sets of SSVG at various angles of attack, ranging from 0° to 24° in increments of 3°, and operating in the range of Re = 2 × 10 5 . The results revealed that the SSVG blended test airfoil reduced the drag and increased the maximum coefficient of lift (C Lmax ), thereby enhancing the overall aerodynamic performance. The SSVG offered noteworthy aerodynamic benefits by effectively altering the flow and causing significant spanwise variation in the flow properties. Additionally, attempts were made to identify the optimum chordwise location to blend the SSVG for effective use.

Keywords: aerodynamic efficiency; airfoils; force balance; shark scale; vortex generators; wind tunnel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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