• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.1091-1097
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• 2001

A numerical investigation was performed to determine the effect of airfoil on the optimum flap height using NACA 00XX and 44XX airfoils. The six flaps which have 0.5% chord height difference were selected . A Navier-Stokes code, FLUENT, was used to calculate the flow field of the airfoil. The code was first tested as a benchmark by modelling flow around a NACA 4412 airfoil. Predictions of local pressure coefficients are found to be in good agreement with the result of the experimental results. For every NACA 00XX and 44XX airfoil, flap heights ranging from 0.0% to 2.5% chord were changed by 0.5% chord interval and their effects were also studied. Representative results from each case are presented graphically and discussed. It is conclued that this initial approach gives an idea for the future development of the wind turbine optimum design.