Control of separated flow at low Reynolds number around NACA0012 airfoil by boundary layer suction

Abstract

The separated flow at low Reynolds number around the NACA0012 airfoil is numerically studied by large-eddy simulation. Strategies of boundary layer suction to control flow separation are investigated. A method of using two-zone suctions, near the leading edge and near the trailing edge, are calculated. Based on verification with direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experimental data, the results of the lift and the drag, the vortices, and the strength of near-field pressure fluctuations, are checked. The results show that the two-zone suctions can supress flow transition and separation, thereby increase the lift and reduce the drag. The shedding of vortices is weakened, and the near-field pressure fluctuations are attenuated. For comparison with the two-zone suctions, the strategies of suction near the leading edge only and suction near the trailing edge only are also studied. It is found that suction near the leading edge only may suppress transition and delay separation when the suction zone is large enough, but the flow property deteriorates due to shedding vortices in the wake. The suction near the trailing edge only may improve the flow performance by reducing the size of the vortices in the rear section of the airfoil and in the wake region, but it has little effect on the separation bubble and transition.