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Aerodynamic enhancement and noise reduction of a composite bio-inspired airfoil based on Mode decomposition methods

Author

Listed:
  • Xin, Shenwei
  • Ye, Xuemin
  • Xiao, Wei
  • Li, Chunxi

Abstract

To address trade-offs in biomimetic designs, this study proposes a composite bio-inspired airfoil integrating stepped grooves and a serrated trailing edge. Using hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) to Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) analogy, synergistic mechanisms are investigated on a NACA 4412 baseline at Re ≈ 1.0 × 105 and a Mach number of 0.03. Notably, simultaneous aerodynamic enhancement and acoustic benefits are achieved within the angle of attack range of α = 0°–14°. In this regime, the optimized configuration achieves a 24.8% enhancement in lift-to-drag ratio and a 12 dB noise reduction in attached flow, while maintaining 2–4 dB attenuation at deep stall. Aerodynamically, the structure eliminates laminar separation bubbles via pressure modulation. Acoustically, the mechanism involves disrupting the spanwise coherence of vortex shedding. Analyses using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), Extended Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (EPOD), and Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) reveal that the control strategy suppresses the linear growth of dominant unstable waves, redistributing energy to small-scale modes with low radiation efficiency. This work offers a novel pathway for optimizing low-noise wind turbine blades.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin, Shenwei & Ye, Xuemin & Xiao, Wei & Li, Chunxi, 2026. "Aerodynamic enhancement and noise reduction of a composite bio-inspired airfoil based on Mode decomposition methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:347:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226005682
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140465
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ye, Xuemin & Hu, Jiami & Zheng, Nan & Li, Chunxi, 2023. "Numerical study on aerodynamic performance and noise of wind turbine airfoils with serrated gurney flap," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
    2. Zixiao Wei & Stanley Wang & Sean Farris & Naga Chennuri & Ningping Wang & Stara Shinsato & Kahraman Demir & Maya Horii & Grace X. Gu, 2024. "Towards silent and efficient flight by combining bioinspired owl feather serrations with cicada wing geometry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Koca, Kemal & Genç, Mustafa Serdar & Açıkel, Halil Hakan & Çağdaş, Mücahit & Bodur, Tuna Murat, 2018. "Identification of flow phenomena over NACA 4412 wind turbine airfoil at low Reynolds numbers and role of laminar separation bubble on flow evolution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 750-764.
    4. Zhou, Teng & Cao, Huijing & Zhang, Mingming & Liao, Caicai, 2022. "Performance simulation of wind turbine with optimal designed trailing-edge serrations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    5. Zhong, Junwei & Li, Jingyin & Liu, Huizhong, 2023. "Dynamic mode decomposition analysis of flow separation control on wind turbine airfoil using leading−edge rod," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    6. Zhang, Jiankun & Liu, Haihu, 2023. "Multi-objective optimization of aerodynamic and erosion resistance performances of a high-pressure turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
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