Active Flow Control of Wing Separated Flow

Abstract

Numerical investigations of active flow control, which can offer significant improvements to wind–turbine rotor and turbomachinery performance by suppressing detrimental effects of separated flow, are presented. Simulations of pulsating jet flow control applied on wings at low speed, high Reynolds number turbulent flow and fixed angles of incidence are carried out. Efficient time–accurate numerical methods for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations and advanced turbulence models are used for the prediction of the complex, unsteady flowfields. Pulsating jet active flow control is applied as a surface boundary condition and the flow is time-dependent. It is found that active flow control can enhance aerodynamic performance by reducing the adverse effects of separated flow. The effect of the jet location, pulsation frequency, and jet exit velocity on flow control is investigated.