Experimental and Numerical Study of Leading-Edge Tubercles on a Propeller Blade.

The conducted research investigates using leading-edge tubercles as a form of

passive flow control device on a propeller blade. These blades are hypothesised to reduce

noise propagation and have potential benefits to the blade efficiency. The investigation

makes use of experimental testing of the conventional design against the tubercles with

additional testing against commercial market propellers, using a wind-tunnel and anechoic

chamber. During experimental testing, the outcomes of static tests produce 21% increase

in thrust, 19.6% reduction in noise sample peak level, achieved. During dynamic testing

from the addition of the tubercles tested against several sets of propellers. Subsequently,

simulation tests conducted in CFD have been optimized to use pressure based unsteady

flow simulation, utilizing, realisable k-ε for the aerodynamic investigation and for the aero

acoustics, Large Eddy numerical simulations for validation, showing good correspondence

of the results presented. The data attained from the results would provide to be beneficial,

for future VTOL companies, which require lower noise emissions, with beneficial thrust values

for take-off and landing to operate in urban environments, to provide ideal performance

and cleaner emissions. The benefit of the attained data would provide to be beneficial for

next generation future eVTOL aircraft, requiring lower noise emissions, with beneficial thrust

values for take-off and landing, operating within urban environments, by providing cleaner

emissions whilst providing ideal performance.