An experimental study of laminar separation bubbles on airfoil at low Reynolds

An experimental test campaign has been performed by means of Pressure Sensitive Paint Technique (PSP) and Particle Velocimetry Anemometry (PIV) on a laminar airfoil at low Reynolds number. Experimental investigation has been intended to get detailed information about pressure and velocity fields and to detect possible laminar-separation bubble location on the concave region of the airfoil. Pressure distributions around the model have been used as “starting point” to individuate possible separation locations on the airfoil and to better direct macro-PIV investigations inside the airfoil boundary layer. Results will be presented in terms of pressure coefficient chord-wise distribution and velocity profiles on the model surface. Velocity profiles have been processed to get boundary layer integral parameters (displacement and momentum thickness). Moreover, pressure and velocity fields have been integrated to obtain the airfoil lift and drag coefficient in the investigated range of angles of attack.