Enhancement of Aerodynamic Performance of NACA 4415 2D by Adjoint Optimization and Vortex Generators using CFD Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38032/scse.2025.3.103Keywords:
K-omega SST model, Vortex generator, Lift to drag ratio, Adjoint optimizationAbstract
This study presents a comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the NACA 4415 airfoil utilizing the k-omega SST (Shear Stress Transport) turbulence model. The airfoil's aerodynamic parameters such as lift, drag, and pressure distribution are analyzed under various flow conditions corresponding to Reynolds numbers. The preliminary focus is to investigate airfoil performance on different angle of attack over a range of Reynolds numbers from 200,000 to 500,000. Additionally, the aerodynamic effects of vortex generators on the airfoil performance have been analyzed. Three different shapes vortex generators, positioned 100mm distance from the airfoil tip, are used to analyze the performance. Additionally, adjoint optimization techniques enhance the airfoil's aerodynamic characteristics. On the adjoint optimization the airfoil lift to drag ratio is increased by 5-10% compared to the base case. The CFD simulations are conducted using ANSYS Fluent software, using the k-omega SST turbulence model as its accuracy to capture turbulent flows with separation. Lift to drag ratios for airfoil with vortex generator are comparatively less than the base case lift to drag ratio of 18.5075. Lift to drag ratio of airfoil with vortex generator in 0° to 25° degree varies from 1 to 25. For Adjoint optimization of the airfoil, three trials are taken and two found satisfactory compared to the base airfoil. Lift to drag ratio is increased by 18% to 20% from the base airfoil for first two cases. But further increase resulted more drag in the airfoil, trial three lift to drag ratio decreased to 15, representing an 18% reduction in lift to drag ratio and 45% increase in drag. The results offer valuable insights for designing and optimizing airfoils in aerospace and other high-Reynolds-number applications.
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[1] D. T. Kashid, A. K. Parkhe, S. M. Kale, S. S. Wangikar, C. C. Jadhav, and H. N. Paricharak, “NACA 4415 Aerofoil: Numerical Analysis for Performance in Drag and Lift,” Techno-societal 2022, pp. 461–474, 2024.
[2] Sudarsono, Purwanto, and J. Wahyuadi, “Optimization Design of Airfoil Propellers of Modified NACA 4415 Using Computational Fluids Dynamics,” Adv. Mater. Res., vol. 789, pp. 403–407, 2013.
[3] M. R. Ahmed and S. D. Sharma, “An investigation on the aerodynamics of a symmetrical airfoil in ground effect,” Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci., vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 633–647, 2005.
[4] M. Algan, M. Seyhan, and M. Sarioğlu, “Effect of aero-shaped vortex generators on NACA 4415 airfoil,” Ocean Eng., vol. 291, p. 116482, Jan. 2024.
[5] M. Z. Akhter and F. K. Omar, “Review of Flow-Control Devices for Wind-Turbine Performance Enhancement,” Energies 2021, Vol. 14, Page 1268, vol. 14, no. 5, p. 1268, Feb. 2021.
[6] Gad-El-Hak and Mohamed, “Flow Control,” flco, vol. 17, no. 12, p. 442, 2000, Accessed: Sep. 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000flco.book.....G/abstract
[7] Z. Zhao et al., “Researches on vortex generators applied to wind turbines: A review,” Ocean Eng., vol. 253, p. 111266, Jun. 2022.
[8] A. Arif GÜLER, M. Seyhan, and Y. Erkan AKANSU, “Effect of signal modulation of DBD plasma actuator on flow control around NACA 0015,” J. Therm. Sci. Technol., vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 95–105, Apr. 2018, Accessed: Sep. 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/isibted/issue/56379/782449
[9] B. Yagiz, O. Kandil, and Y. V. Pehlivanoglu, “Drag minimization using active and passive flow control techniques,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 21–31, Mar. 2012.
[10] R. Çakıroğlu, H. E. Tanürün, A. Acır, F. Üçgül, and S. Olkun, “Optimization of NACA 4412 augmented with a gurney flap by using grey relational analysis,” J. Brazilian Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng., vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 1–18, Mar. 2023.
[11] A. Hövelmann, F. Knoth, and C. Breitsamter, “AVT-183 diamond wing flow field characteristics Part 1: Varying leading-edge roughness and the effects on flow separation onset,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 57, pp. 18–30, Oct. 2016.
[12] L. Qiao et al., “Improved hybrid model for transitional separated flows over a rough compressor blade,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 140, p. 108434, Sep. 2023.
[13] Y. Xie, Y. Rao, Y. Cheng, and W. Tian, “Investigation into the laminar separation control of airfoils at low Reynolds numbers by dimple vortex generators,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 129, p. 107841, Oct. 2022.
[14] W. Chen, W. Qiao, and Z. Wei, “Aerodynamic performance and wake development of airfoils with wavy leading edges,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 106, p. 106216, Nov. 2020.
[15] C. Papadopoulos, V. Katsiadramis, and K. Yakinthos, “Influence of tubercles’ spanwise distribution on swept wings for unmanned aerial vehicles,” https://doi.org/10.1177/0954410020919583, vol. 235, no. 1, pp. 95–103, Apr. 2020.
[16] E. Sobhani, M. Ghaffari, and M. J. Maghrebi, “Numerical investigation of dimple effects on darrieus vertical axis wind turbine,” Energy, vol. 133, pp. 231–241, Aug. 2017.
[17] T. K. Zhen, M. Zubair, and K. A. Ahmad, “Experimental and numerical investigation of the effects of passive vortex generators on Aludra UAV performance,” Chinese J. Aeronaut., vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 577–583, Oct. 2011.
[18] C. M. Velte, M. O. L. Hansen, K. E. Meyer, and P. Fuglsang, “Evaluation of the Performance of Vortex Generators on the DU 91-W2-250 Profile using Stereoscopic PIV,” Citation, vol. 2, pp. 263–267, 2008.
[19] B. J. Wendt, “Parametric study of vortices shed from airfoil vortex generators,” AIAA J., vol. 42, no. 11, pp. 2185–2195, 2004.
[20] H. Shan, L. Jiang, C. Liu, M. Love, and B. Maines, “Numerical study of passive and active flow separation control over a NACA0012 airfoil,” Comput. Fluids, vol. 37, no. 8, pp. 975–992, Sep. 2008.
[21] K. P. Angele and B. Muhammad-Klingmann, “The effect of streamwise vortices on the turbulence structure of a separating boundary layer,” Eur. J. Mech. - B/Fluids, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 539–554, Sep. 2005.
[22] D. . Bushnell and J. . Hefner, “Viscous Drag Reduction in Boundary Layers,” p. 526, 2000, Accessed: Sep. 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books/about/Viscous_Drag_Reduction_in_Boundary_Layer.html?id=8IxMxOwjs8cC
[23] “Turbulent Skin-Friction Drag Reduction By Active and Passive Means. Part 1. Everything you wanted to Know about Riblets, LEBUs and Other Devices,.” https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADP006971 (accessed Sep. 11, 2024).
[24] P. Vukoslavčević, J. M. Wallace, and J. L. Balint, “Viscous drag reduction using streamwise-aligned riblets,” AIAAJ, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 1119–1122, 1992.
[25] X. Cai, D. G. Steyn, and I. S. Gartshorec, Flow field alteration and viscous drag reduction by riblets in a turbulent boundary layer. in Near-wall turbulent flows. Elsevier Publishing Company, 1993.
[26] M. Giles, M. Duta, and J.-D. Mueller, “Adjoint code developments using the exact discrete approach,” 15th AIAA Comput. Fluid Dyn. Conf., 2001, Accessed: Sep. 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/52284161/Adjoint_code_developments_using_the_exact_discrete_approach
[27] C. S. Kim, C. Kim, and O. H. Rho, “Parallel Computations of High-Lift Airfoil Flows Using Two-Equation Turbulence Models,” , vol. 38, no. 8, pp. 1360–1368, May 2012.
[28] E. J. Nielsen and W. K. Anderson, “Recent improvements in aerodynamic design optimization on unstructured meshes,” AIAA J., vol. 40, no. 6, pp. 1155–1163, 2002.
[29] M. A. Hoque, M. S. Rahman, K. N. Rimi, A. R. Alif, and M. R. Haque, “Enhancing formula student car performance: Nose shape optimization via adjoint method,” Results in Engineering, vol. 20, p. 101636, Dec. 2023.
[30] A. Bueno-Orovio, C. Castro, F. Palacios, and E. Zuazua, “Continuous Adjoint Approach for the Spalart-Allmaras Model in Aerodynamic Optimization,” https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J051307, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 631–646, Aug. 2012.
[31] A. Elham and M. J. L. van Tooren, “Discrete adjoint aerodynamic shape optimization using symbolic analysis with OpenFEMflow,” Struct. Multidiscip. Optim., vol. 63, no. 5, pp. 2531–2551, May 2021.
[32] J. Brezillon and N. R. Gauger, “2D and 3D aerodynamic shape optimisation using the adjoint approach,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., vol. 8, no. 8, pp. 715–727, 2004.
[33] Tunay, T., Sahin, B., & Ozbolat, V. (2014). Effects of rear slant angles on the flow characteristics of Ahmed body. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 57, 165–176.
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