Shape optimization of the airfoil comprising a cross flow fan

Purpose - Fanwing airfoil is a new lift-generating section invented in 1997 by Patrick Peebles. The early shape of the airfoil has not changed until now. So far, no research has been done to change or modify the airfoil shape in order to improve its aerodynamic performance. In this paper, possibility of changing the airfoil shape to improve its aerodynamic performance is studied. For this purpose, six different geometric shapes of the airfoil are investigated numerically to determine the best airfoil on the basis of lift and drag coefficients. Flow over the airfoil is solved by developing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The purpose of this paper is to find a more efficient configuration for the Fanwing airfoil with lower power consumption and better performance. Design/methodology/approach - Flow over the airfoil is investigated by CFD. At the airfoil solid walls, the no slip condition is applied. Re-Normalization Group k-epsilon model is used for turbulence modeling. The pressure-velocity coupling is calculated by the SIMPLEC algorithm. Second-order upwind discretization is considered for the convection terms. Finite volume method with rectangular computational cells is used for the entire solution domain. Findings - It is observed that the airfoil with curved bottom wall and a slot in upper wall has the maximum lift coefficient. Also, the airfoil with curved bottom wall and no slot has the minimum drag or maximum thrust (negative drag) coefficient. Therefore, instead of increasing the airfoil lift or decreasing its drag by enhancing driving motor speed with larger energy consumption, this can be done only by changing the airfoil shape. It is perceived that the airfoil lift coefficient can be augmented at least 10 percent and its drag can be reduced more than 2.8 percent only by changing its shape and no excessive power consumption. Since the airfoil shape is modified, these advantages are permanent and its benefits are cumulative through time. Eccentric vortex inside the cross flow fan that is reported earlier in the research paper is found in this airfoil, too. In addition, velocity vectors, contours of static pressure and distribution of the static pressure over the airfoils surfaces are illustrated for better understanding of the flow details. Research limitations/implications - Since the airfoil shape is very complicated for numerical study, two-dimensional simulation has been carried out. Also, flow over the airfoil is considered steady-state and incompressible. Practical implications - In this paper, some modifications for the Fanwing airfoil are suggested in order to improve its aerodynamic performance. This is the first research for changing the configuration of the Fanwing airfoil and can be very helpful for the researchers involved in this topic as well as aerospace industries. Originality/value - This paper is valuable for researchers in the new and up to date concept of the Fanwing airfoil. This work is original.