Experimental flow control investigation over suction surface of turbine blade with local surface passive oscillation

Abstract

Impact of the local flexible membrane (LFM) on aerodynamic phenomena including the formation of a laminar separation bubble (LSB) and transition to turbulence was experimentally investigated over the suction surface of a Clark-Y airfoil first time in literature. The experiments such as aerodynamic force measurement, smoke-wire flow visualization and hot-film tests were carried out at the free-stream velocity of U∞ = 3.2 m/s, U∞ = 6.4 m/s, U∞ = 9.6 m/s, U∞ = 12.8 m/s, and Reynolds number based upon on the chord length was Rec = 3.5 × 104 , Rec = 7.0 × 104 , Rec = 1.05 × 105 and Rec = 1.4 × 105, respectively. The experimental angle of attack was set at 0◦ = α ≤ 20◦. In detailed intermittency analysis by the hot-film sensor over the uncontrolled airfoil, it was seen that the LSB and transition to turbulence formed close to the trailing edge at a lower angle of attack, and it moved towards the leading edge when increasing the angle of attack simultaneously. Employing LFM on the suction surface obviously affected the progress of these flow phenomena. In the results of smoke-wire flow visualization, either the size of the laminar separation bubble (LSB) was reduced or its presence was suppressed at lower incidences. The aerodynamic force measurement results also supported those behaviors. In particular, at lower incidences, the negative effects of LSB were mitigated, resulting in the presence of a more stable lift curve. Additionally, it was clearly observed that utilizing LFM ensured positive effects, especially at the pre- and the post-stall regions in terms of fewer fluctuations at the CL curve, meaning that less aerodynamic vibration and noise on wind/hydro turbine could be obtained.