Comparative Study on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) 0008 and 0020 Series

Energy from wind is observed to be among the most viable renewable energy sources due to its minimal cost in comparison with other sources. Hence, wind energy has an advantage over fossil-fired power plants. Airfoil aerodynamic efficiency is highly important for wind turbine aerodynamic efficiency. The study determined the aerodynamic characteristics of two symmetrical NACA 4-digit airfoils; NACA 0008 and 0020. Comparisons were made in the characteristics of the airfoils, in order to further understand and compare forces at different angle of attack. The coordinates for each airfoil were developed and simulation carried out using ANSYS CFX after generating a mesh and selecting boundary conditions. The results showed that symmetrical NACA 0008 experienced high lift at each angle of attack than NACA 0020. NACA 0020 had some fraction of lift over NACA 0008 only at angle of attack. NACA 0008 appears to be the better of the two airfoils, having greater lift at each angle of attack which encourages its application in wind turbine.