Three-dimensional numerical analysis of active flow control for rigid wingsails using co-flow jet

Paper i proceeding, 2026

Flow separation over rigid wingsails at moderate to high angles of attack limits aerodynamic efficiency and increases load fluctuations, which constrains their performance in wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of active flow control using a co-flow jet (CFJ) in enhancing the aerodynamic performance of rigid wingsails and to clarify the associated three-dimensional flow mechanisms. Three-dimensional unsteady CFD simulations are conducted for two sectional profiles, a symmetric NACA 0015 and a cambered crescent-shaped D2R8, under controlled and baseline conditions. The CFJ is implemented through jet injection and suction to modify boundary-layer development and separation behavior. The results show that CFJ significantly alters the suction-side separation pattern, delays stall onset, and improves pressure recovery. The controlled cases exhibit increased lift and thrust coefficients compared with the baseline configurations. The enhancement is attributed to boundary-layer energization and circulation redistribution induced by the jet–shear-layer interaction. The outcomes indicate that CFJ control can substantially modify separation behavior in rigid wingsails and improve propulsive performance under the examined conditions.