Influence of Laminar Separation Bubbles on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Elliptical Airfoils at Low Reynolds Numbers
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Research Advisor
Finaish, Fathi
Advisor's Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Funding Source
NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium
Abstract
This work was a computational study of the effects of laminar separation bubbles on a 16 percent thick elliptical airfoil at a 10 degree angle of attack and Reynolds numbers ranging from 60,000 to 2 million. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed to characterize the effects of decreasing Reynolds numbers on bubble size, the airfoil’s pressure coefficient plot, and the airfoil’s lift, drag, and aerodynamic efficiency. The separation bubble was found to appear at Reynolds numbers less than or equal to 600,000. This bubble is capable of generating a marginal boost in lift at Reynolds numbers around 200,000, but at a large drag penalty. At Reynolds numbers below 200,000, the bubble has an adverse effect on the natural pressure peak of the airfoil, negating the bubble’s positive effects. While the separation bubble produces a noticeable increase in lift, it does not improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Biography
Justin Aholt was born in Washington Missouri and is a graduate of St. Francis Borgia Regional High School. He is currently a junior majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Upon completion of his Bachelor’s Degree, he intends to pursue an advanced degree in the field of Aerodynamics.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Engineering oral presentation, Third place
Location
Ozark Room
Presentation Date
08 Apr 2009, 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Influence of Laminar Separation Bubbles on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Elliptical Airfoils at Low Reynolds Numbers
Ozark Room
This work was a computational study of the effects of laminar separation bubbles on a 16 percent thick elliptical airfoil at a 10 degree angle of attack and Reynolds numbers ranging from 60,000 to 2 million. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed to characterize the effects of decreasing Reynolds numbers on bubble size, the airfoil’s pressure coefficient plot, and the airfoil’s lift, drag, and aerodynamic efficiency. The separation bubble was found to appear at Reynolds numbers less than or equal to 600,000. This bubble is capable of generating a marginal boost in lift at Reynolds numbers around 200,000, but at a large drag penalty. At Reynolds numbers below 200,000, the bubble has an adverse effect on the natural pressure peak of the airfoil, negating the bubble’s positive effects. While the separation bubble produces a noticeable increase in lift, it does not improve aerodynamic efficiency.
