Aerodynamic Performance Enhancement of NACA۰۰۱۲ Airfoil Using a Slotted Configuration: A Numerical Study

The purpose of optimizing airfoil is to enhance efficiency of airfoils by reducing drag force and increasing the lift-to-drag ratio, while also decreasing the cost and complexity of the design for various aerodynamic applications. This topic has been extensively reviewed by many researchers over the years, with the goal of achieving better aerodynamic performance. Advanced computational tools, such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, play a crucial role in simulating and predicting the aerodynamic behavior of airfoils under different operating conditions. In this study, a straight slotted NACA ۰۰۱۲ airfoil was analyzed under various angles of attack (AoAs) to investigate the influence of slot position along the chord on lift, drag, and overall aerodynamic efficiency. Results indicate that slot location significantly affects drag reduction and lift-to-drag performance, with slots positioned near regions prone to flow separation providing improved efficiency. In particular, a slot located at ۰.۷۰ m from the leading edge yielded the highest aerodynamic efficiency for low AoAs (۰°–۱۰°), while slots closer to the leading edge offered slightly enhanced lift with minor drag reduction. These findings highlight the importance of strategic slot placement in optimizing airfoil performance and provide practical guidance for applications such as wind turbines and other aerodynamic systems.