Computation of circulation control airfoil flows

Abstract

The compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are solved for circulation control (CC) airfoil flows. Three turbulence models are considered for closure, including the Spalart–Allmaras model with and without a curvature correction and the shear stress transport model of Menter. Numerical solutions are computed with a structured grid solver. The effect of mesh density on the solutions is examined. We also address two important issues that have emerged in simulations of CC airfoil flows. One is the validity of incompressible simulations with the presence of a transonic wall jet. The other issue concerns the occurrence of nonphysical solutions for CC airfoil flows. In the present work we consider circulation control flows for a range of jet momentum coefficients. Comparisons are made between computed and experimental pressure distributions, velocity profiles, Reynolds stress profiles, and streamline patterns. Including curvature effects yields the closest agreement with the measured data.