Numerical investigation on NACA0012 airfoil with tubercular structure

Abstract

Humpback whales have very special fins, which reduce the friction force by the projections on the fins and enhance the lift force with increasing angle of attack. Thus, it has opportunity to move with less energy. In this study, the tubular structure was formed and adapted to the NACA0012 airfoil profile. Numerical modelling of tubercle wing was performed in ANSYS FLUENT. In numerical modelling, k-ω SST and Transition SST turbulence models were used to investigate tubercle wing performance. The tubercle structure on the wing provided to canalize the flow in the tubercle cavities, thus flow separation decreased. Consequently, it was observed that the aerodynamic performance of the wing increased when the sinusoidal protrusions known as tubercle structure were applied to the leading edge of the wing.