Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of airfoil

NACA 7 series
Bolaños F * Cantuña A* Guacho F * Lozano J* Tapia D* Vaca K *
Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica, Quito, Ecuador

Abstract: A NACA 7-series Laminar flow airfoil, is characterized by a large expansion of laminar flow in both the
extrados and the intrados, has low pitch moment coefficients, with moderately high lift coefficients, achieved at the
expense of a reduction of the maximum lift and the critical Mach number. With the concepts presented in this
document, the simulation is carried out by a CAD program, proposing parameters based on the profile string and
above all a control volume and the edge conditions that the simulator allows us to enter, in the same way An angle
of attack is considered to help delimitate even more the edge conditions for the laminar fluid.
One of the methods used are: the use of CFD, the use of a simulation package as is the case of ANSYS, for the
validation of the data obtained, the XFOIL software, and the use of experimental data.

Keywords: NACA 7-series, Mach number, CAD program, ANSYS, XFOIL, experimental, angle of
attack, laminar fluid.

I. INTRODUCTION. Max CL: 1.107

Max CL angle: 15.0

An aerodynamic profile is defined as any wing
section cut by a plane parallel to its own rope, Max L/D: 31.715
the profiles can be symmetrical and asymmetric,
this classification is achieved by comparing its Max L/D angle: 7.0
upper part with the lower one, since if these are Max L/D CL: 0.817
mirror, it is said to be a symmetrical profile,
which is much cheaper and easier to produce, Stall angle: 8.5
unlike an asymmetric profile
Zero-lift angle: -1.0

The profile of series 7 is characterized by a large

expansion of laminar flow in both the extrados
and the intrados, has low pitch moment
coefficients, with moderately high lift
coefficients, achieved at the expense of a
reduction of the maximum lift and the critical
mach number.
For the comparison, NACA 747A315 was
selected, which presents the following
characteristic data.
Table 1: Characteristic NACA 747A315
Thickness: 14.9%
II. METODOLOGY
The K-Epsilon model is one of the most
widely implemented turbulence models at an
industrial level. It is a model with two
transport equations to represent the turbulent
properties of the flow. The first variable of
this model is the turbulent kinetic energy
(K), this variable determines the turbulent
intensity, while the second variable
represents the turbulent dissipation
(Epsilon).

Camber: 2.5%
The equations that govern these variables are
Trailing edge angle: 10.1o the following.
Lower flatness: 6.7%

Leading edge radius: 2.8%

Efficiency: 35.9
 0,0115 6 0,0078 6 0,0082 6
0,0135 8 0,0108 8 0,0108 8
0,018 10 0,0137 10 0,0155 10
0,0225 12 0,0166 12 0,0229 12

Cd-Ángulo de Ataque
0.025
Where:

Gk: Turbulent kinetic energy generation 0.02

due to medium velocity gradients.
0.015

Cd
Gb: Generation of kinetic energy due to
buoyancy. 0.01

YM: Contribution of fluctuating dilation in 0.005

compressible turbulence.
0
C1ϵ, C2ϵ, C3ϵ, σt: Constants determined
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
experimentally.
Ángulo de Ataque

Ut: Turbulen viscosity Simulación Experimental X Foil

σk: Number of Prandtl based on k.

Ilustraction 1: Cd vs Attack angle
σϵ: Number of Prandtl according to ε.

Table 3: Cl vs Attack angle

The model k- Epsilon is the best known and is Simulación Experimental X Foil
used in practically all commercial programs for Cl Alpha Cl Alpha Cl Alpha
the study of fluids. -0,98 -10 -0,82 -10 -0,98 -10
-0,78 -8 -0,71 -8 -0,78 -8
-0,54 -6 -0,5 -6 -0,54 -6
-0,3 -4 -0,29 -4 -0,3 -4
III. MALLADO. -0,08 -2 -0,09 -2 -0,08 -2
IV. RESULTADOS OBTENIDOS 0,16 0 0,12 0 0,16 0
0,39 2 0,33 2 0,39 2
0,62 4 0,53 4 0,62 4
From the simulation different values of CL, CD, 0,86 6 0,75 6 0,84 6
CM were obtained for different attack angles, 1,06 8 0,97 8 0,99 8
which are observed and analyzed below:
1,27 10 1,14 10 1,11 10
1,36 12 1,26 12 1,196 12
Table 2: Data Cd vs Attack angle

Simulación Experimental X Foil

Cd Alpha Cd Alpha Cd Alpha
0,0155 -10 0,0118 -10 0,0118 -10
0,0125 -8 0,0097 -8 0,0097 -8
0,0105 -6 0,0082 -6 0,0082 -6
0,0093 -4 0,0074 -4 0,0074 -4
0,0088 -2 0,0064 -2 0,0064 -2
0,00883 0 0,0045 0 0,0050 0
0,00916 2 0,0045 2 0,0042 2
0,0101 4 0,0047 4 0,0042 4
 The experimental curves, ANSYS and XFOIL,
Cl-Ángulo de Ataque obtained for the coefficient of lift, drag and
moment, have a polynomial tendency that varies
1.5 depending on the angle of attack.
1
0.5 The error between the theoretical values and the
0 values of lift coefficient, obtained in ANSYS,
Cl

XFOIL and experimentally, are not considerable

-10

8
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6

10
12
-0.5 for the lift coefficient, while for the other two
-1 coefficients analyzed a tendency is observed that
the values obtained by the simulation they have a
-1.5 greater variation with respect to the values
Ángulo de Ataque
Simulación Experimental X Foil obtained by XFOIL and experimentally.

Ilustraction 2: Cl vs Attack angle

V. CONCLUSIONS

Table 4: Cdf vs Attack angle

It was possible to carry out a simulation of the
Simulación Experimental X Foil
NACA 747A315 with the help of design
Cdf Alpha Cdf Alpha Cdf Alpha softwares, allowing us to compare these results
0,0054 -10 0,0048 -10 0,0046 -10 with those theoretically established and observe
0,0058 -8 0,0051 -8 0,0049 -8 the behavior and variation of the different
0,0061 -6 0,0053 -6 0,0051 -6 coefficients with respect to the angle of attack.
0,0064 -4 0,0053 -4 0,0053 -4
Today the profiles are designed specifically for
0,0065 -2 0,0050 -2 0,0051 -2
each application, where we find from propellers,
0,0065 0 0,0047 0 0,0039 0 wings and stabilizers to blades and fairings.
0,0065 2 0,0037 2 0,0031 2
0,0065 4 0,0040 4 0,0032 4 Depending on the purpose to be achieved in the
0,0064 6 0,0046 6 0,0046 6 design of these bodies, the profiles can be thinner
or thicker, symmetrical or not, curved or
0,0061 8 0,0049 8 0,0048 8
polygonal, and even have a variable section
0,0059 10 0,0048 10 0,0046 10 along the span.
0,0055 12 0,0044 12 0,0042 12
Special attention must be paid to the viscous
stresses confined to the boundary layer. Despite
being a very narrow region adjacent to the
Cld-Ángulo de Ataque surface, it has a great influence on the
aerodynamic behavior of the profiles.
0.0070
0.0060 The development of aerodynamic profile design
0.0050
methods is justified for three reasons: the design
of sections that are outside the scope of the
0.0040 catalogs, efficient and specific design for each
Cld

0.0030 application, and the economic savings in terms of

tests and time.
0.0020
0.0010
0.0000
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Ángulo de Ataque
Simulación Experimental X Foil

Ilustraction 3: Cld vs Attack angle

 VI. REFERENCES

Ira H Abbot, “theory of wing sections”, NASA,

New York, 1959

L. de Ulloa, “Perfiles aerodinámicos”,

Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, la Rioja,
España

S. Roncero, “Introducción a los perfiles NACA”,

Departamento de Ingeniería Aeroespacial y
Mecánica de Fluidos.

Cengel, Y. A., & Cimbala, J. M. (2006).

Mecánica de Fluidos Fundamentos y
Aplicaciones. México: McGraw-
Hill/INTERAMERICANA EDITORES, S.A.

El Código NACA de7 dígitos. Obtenido de:

https://greatbustardsflight.blogspot.com/2
017/01/el-codigo-naca-de-4-y-5-
digitos.html. (Noviembre, 2017)