Investigating the Effectiveness of Vortex Generators in Aviation through High-Fidelity CFD Analysis

• Published in: INCAS bulletin Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 51 - 60
• Main Authors: HOTHAZIE, Mihai-Vladut, BUNESCU, Ionut, STOICAN, Mihaita-Gilbert, CHELEMEN, Dennis-Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bucharest INCAS - National Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli" 11-09-2024; National Institute for Aerospace Research “Elie Carafoli” - INCAS
• Subjects: Accuracy; Automation; automation process; Boundary layer control; cfd; Computational fluid dynamics; Control methods; Design optimization; Efficiency; Energy; Energy distribution; Flow separation; Flow visualization; Fluid flow; Impact analysis; Kinetic energy; oil flow visualization; Optimization; parametric study; Shear stress; Turbulent boundary layer; Turbulent flow; turbulent kinetic energy; Vortex generators; Vortices; Wall shear stresses
• ISSN: 2066-8201; 2247-4528
• DOI: 10.13111/2066-8201.2024.16.3.5

The present study highlights the benefits of using vortex generators as a passive boundary layer control method to delay the flow separation. Using high fidelity CFD analysis, a parametric study regarding the optimum position of vortex generators is carried out using an in-house automation procedure. After that, relevant quantities such as wall shear stress, turbulent kinetic energy, pressure coefficient distribution and oil flow visualization are analyzed and corresponding conclusions are drawn. The use of turbulent and energy quantities allows to quantify the impact of the generated vortices on the boundary layer and to identify the optimal positioning of vortex generators for improved aerodynamic performance.