Cross-Code Comparison of LBM, SEM, and FVM methods for thick Airfoil Aerodynamics

  • Manelil, Neeraj Paul (Universität Oldenburg/Fraunhofer IWES)
  • Thomas, Tinto (Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems)
  • Theron, Johannes (Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems)
  • Stoevesandt, Bernhard (Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems)
  • Kühn, Martin (Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg)

Please login to view abstract download link

This study performs a code-to-code comparison of a 30% thick profile from the Open-Source Offshore (OSO) airfoil family, evaluating three numerical frameworks: the Spectral Element Method (SEM) via NEKO [2], the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) via VirtualFluids [3], and the Finite Volume Method (FVM) via OpenFOAM. At a Reynolds number of Re = 105, these eometries present significant challenges due to complex phenomena such as laminar separation bubbles (LSB), shear layer instabilities, and blunt trailing-edge vortex shedding.