Flow characteristics analysis and optimization design of supercritical airfoil at low Reynolds number

Based on the research of the high-attitude long-endurance solar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the aerodynamic performances and optimization design of the supercritical airfoil RAE2822 at high subsonic speed and low Reynolds number are numerically simulated and studied. To verify the accuracy and reliability of the SST k-ω turbulence model, finite volume method is used to solve the 2D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for the numerical simulations of the fluid around RAE2822 at typical Reynolds number. Meanwhile, a detailed analysis of the aerodynamic forces among different altitudes is conducted and the low Reynolds effects are summarized, then the high subsonic and low Reynolds number flow characteristics are researched by analyzing the fluid structure and flow mechanism around RAE2822. Finally, an optimization concept of weakening the shock waves is proposed for the supercritical airfoil design at high subsonic speed and low Reynolds number, whose feasibility is tested and verified by an optimization case.