Flow visualization and numerical determination of aerodynamics coefficients in profiles with protuberances on the leading edge

• Grant number: 20/02912-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2020
• End date: April 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Aluisio Viais Pantaleão
• Grantee: Daniel Barbosa Barconi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of numerical methods to predict aerodynamic phenomena plays an important role in the development of technologies in the field of Fluid Mechanics. In this way, the study and improvement of computational techniques for flow's visualization and determination of aerodynamic coefficients, within the scope of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), corresponds to a great step towards the understanding of physical phenomena related to aerodynamics, and can be used in a series of industrial applications. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to establish a calculation methodology for determining aerodynamic coefficients and flow visualization, first in steady state and then non-stationary, using open sources softwares, with particular application in wings inspired by the flippers of humpback whales (insertion of protuberances on the leading edge). So, it is proposed to validate the numerical techniques developed using the data contained in the literature and, primarily, from the experimental results obtained by the local research group of the FAPESP Regular Suport project number 2019/07947-0. Once these results are validated, it is intended to amplify the knowledge regarding the increase of aerodynamic performance of the profiles with such protuberances, exploring different operational and geometric conditions, not experimentally characterized. Finally, after selecting the best bulge configurations studied here, they will be used in numerical tests to evaluate the performance of rotors used in Francis turbines.