Aerodynamic performance improvement of an airfoil using the Gurney flap and fast on–off DBD plasma actuator

This study is focused on proposing a novel configuration by simultaneous utilization of Gurney flap and DBD plasma actuator on a NACA 0012 wind turbine airfoil for the purpose of flow control and aerodynamic performance improvement. In this regard, the airfoils with different Gurney flap and DBD plasma actuator configurations are examined by means of numerical simulations. Also, the effective range of the Gurney flap and DBD plasma actuator based on the AoA on the aerodynamic performance improvement is determined. The results indicate that compared to a clean airfoil, attaching the Gurney flap and DBD plasma actuator results in an improvement in the lift coefficient. It is evident that the drag coefficient, especially at the angles of attack higher than 6°, is sensitive to the position of the DBD plasma (XP). The results illustrate that the airfoil equipped with the Gurney flap and the DBD plasma at XP = 0.25 C is best suited to improve the ratio of lift to drag and aerodynamic performance. Hence, for the angle of attack values less than 6°, the DBD plasma actuator must be turned off, and at higher angle of attack values, the DBD plasma actuator must be switched on.