Optimizing NACA2414 airfoil aerodynamics with PARSEC parametrization and Genetic Algorithm

School of Engineering, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor’s University, Taylor’s Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, Selangor DE, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: anupam.krishnan@sd.taylors.edu.my

Abstract

This research endeavours to contribute to the broader field of wind turbine aerodynamics by investigating a method to enhance the performance of airfoils, with specific attention to the NACA2414 airfoil at a 15-degree angle of attack. The study explores the airfoil’s performance across a range of -10 to 15 degrees angle of attack. It employs both PARSEC parametrization and Genetic Algorithm optimization, achieving significant advancements. At a 15-degree angle of attack, post-optimization, the lift coefficient for the NACA2414 airfoil exhibits a remarkable increase to 1.5275 at a Reynolds number of 10⁵, surpassing the original airfoil’s performance of 1.2407. This progress highlights the effectiveness of utilizing PARSEC parametrization and Genetic Algorithm optimization, particularly in low-speed wind turbine applications. While emphasizing potential applications in low-wind-speed scenarios, the findings underscore the significance of these techniques in renewable energy production.