Analysis of drag reduction and partial setup of riblets surface on the airfoil

Using riblet structures to modulate the turbulent boundary layer to reduce frictional drag is important for vehicle stability and range. The flow on the airfoil surface at different angles of attack is different, and the effect of the riblets structure on the turbulent boundary layer flow will be changed, which in turn affects the drag reduction effect. In this paper, the drag reduction characteristics of V-shaped riblets are investigated experimentally by the particle image velocimetry technique. The distributions of mean velocity, friction coefficient, drag reduction rate, and coherent structure in the boundary layer on the airfoil surface at angles of attack from 0° to 12° are analyzed, and the effects of smooth and riblets surfaces on the turbulent flow characteristics near the wall are compared. Based on these results, the airfoil surface was zonally covered with riblets to investigate further the effects of the riblets' covering positions on the drag reduction of the airfoil at different angles of attack. The results show that the riblets reduce the intensity, distribution, and probability of the eject and sweep events in the turbulence bursts by suppressing the velocity fluctuations at the near-wall surface, thus realizing the reduction of turbulence drag. The zoned arrangement of riblets can effectively regulate the airfoil surface flow and reduce the unfavorable effects of the riblets on the laminar flow region and flow separation region on the surface of the airfoil with different angles of attack, and the results of the study can provide a reference for the influence of the coverage range of the riblets on the drag reduction effect.