Shock wave induced flow separation control by Air-Jet and Rod Vortex Generators

Flow separation control by Vortex Generators (VGs) has been analyzed over the last decades. The majority of the research concerning this technology has been focused on subsonic flows where its effectiveness for separation reduction has been proven. Less complex configurations should be analyzed as a first step to apply VGs in transonic conditions, commonly present in many aviation applications. Therefore, the numerical investigation was carried out for a Shock Wave-Boundary-Layer Interaction (SWBLI) phenomenon inducing strong flow separation at the suction side of the NACA 0012 profile. For this purpose, two kinds of VGs were analyzed: well documented Air-Jet Vortex Generators (AJVGs) and our own invention of Rod Vortex Generators (RVGs). The results of the numerical simulations based on the RANS approach reveal a large potential of this passive flow control system in delaying stall and limiting separation induced by a strong, normal shock wave terminating a local supersonic area.