Parametric study toward optimization of blowing and suction locations for improving lift-to-drag ratio on a Clark-Y airfoil

Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations (RANS) of flows around a Clark-Y airfoil with uniform blowing (UB) and uniform suction (US) are performed aiming at improvement of the airfoil performance. First, the control effect in the case with single UB or US applied on the airfoil surface is investigated at the various control locations. The magnitude of UB/US is 0.14% of the free-stream velocity, and the control region is set at four different locations on the upper and lower surfaces. The Reynolds number based on the chord length and the angle of attack are 1:5x10⁶ and 0, respectively. It is found that the friction drag is decreased/increased by single UB/US control. It is also found that UB on the lower surface or US on the upper surface improves the lift-to-drag ratio, while UB on the upper surface or US on the lower surface worsens it. In the combined control of UB and US having the equal flow rate, the magnitude of blowing and suction is set at 0.14% or 0.26% of the free-stream velocity. The locations of blowing/suction and flow conditions are the same as those in the cases with either UB or US only. The simulation result suggests that the lift-to-drag ratio is improved by the combined control of UB on the lower surface and US on the upper surface. In particular, the lift-to-drag ratio is most improved by a combination of UB on the lower rear surface and US on the upper rear surface. In contrast, a combined control of UB on the upper front surface and US on the lower rear surface is identified as the most effective case for the friction drag reduction only.