Simulation and optimization of stall control for an airfoil with a synthetic jet

This study concerns the simulation and optimization of stall control, using a synthetic jet. The flow is simulated by solving unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with a near-wall low-Reynolds number turbulence closure. The flow around a NACA 0015 airfoil, including a synthetic jet located at 12% of the chord, is studied for a Reynolds number Re=8.96×105 and for angles of attack from 12 to 24 degrees. The optimization of the control parameters (momentum coefficient, frequency, angle w.r.t. the wall) is intended, by coupling an automatic optimization algorithm with the flow solver. A significant improvement of the control efficiency is obtained (maximum lift increased of 34% and stall delayed from 19° to 22° w.r.t. the initial controlled flow). A physical analysis of the flow is performed to characterize the optimal control process found.