PROJECT DETAILS

• Client: ADÁTICA
• Date: 2024
• Technology: Aerodynamic CFD simulation. Aerodynamic seals optimised by 3D printing.

INTRODUCTION

This project uses CFD simulation to quantify the effect of aerodynamic seals on the lift and drag coefficients for some A-330 airfoils. The objective is to compare the usual dimensionless parameters in aerodynamics of a set of 2D airfoils with their standard configuration and with the configuration with an optimised seal.

The software used for the external aerodynamics simulations is ScFlow, which is part of Hexagon’s Cradle CFD tool.

VALIDATION OF THE METHODOLOGY WITH NACA PROFILES

Firstly, a validation of the methodology to be used is carried out by studying some NACA profiles for which experimental data are available. In this way, we can find the meshing parameters and turbulence models that give results that are closest to reality in this type of ScFlow simulations.

The NACA 0012, NACA 2412 and NACA 4412 airfoils are used. The pressure coefficient in the airfoil and global parameters for different angles of attack, such as the Lift and Drag coefficients, are studied. These are also contrasted with data from XFoil, which uses the panel method. The numerical results show very good agreement with the experimental results as shown in the picture:

PREPARACIÓN DE LOS MODELOS CFD

With the methodology validated and the meshing criteria established, the models of the different sections to be studied are prepared in ScFlow. The simulations are performed for established standard flight conditions. For this purpose, a model that considers compressible flow must be used. The following image shows some details of the meshing:

The simulations calculate until the established convergence criteria are reached, both for residues and for the parameters under study, especially the forces in the profile.

POST-PROCESSING AND OUTPUT

The graphical results of interest are the velocity, pressure and Mach number distributions around the profile. These are represented in the different simulated cases as they help to understand the evolution of the parameters of interest. This possibility of seeing in detail the calculated magnitude fields is one of the advantages of CFD for this type of studies, since it makes it easier to draw conclusions about the designs.

The following image shows an example of results obtained with this type of study for the global behaviour of the profile:

The CFD simulation results in terms of Lift and Drag coefficients are also obtained from the calculations and are provided by comparing the standard design cases and with the proposed aerodynamic seals. This allows us to evaluate the improvement in lift and drag that they provide, allowing us to identify the improvement that their incorporation would mean for the efficiency of the aircraft.