Deep-reinforcement-learning-based separation control in a two-dimensional airfoil

The aim of this study is to discover new active-flow-control (AFC) techniques for separation mitigation in a two-dimensional NACA 0012 airfoil at a Reynolds number of 3000. To find these AFC strategies, a framework consisting of a deep-reinforcement-learning (DRL) agent has been used to determine th...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Garcia, Xavier, Miró Jané, Arnau|||0000-0002-2772-6050, Suárez Morales, Pol, Alcántara Ávila, Francisco, Rabault, Jean, Font García, Bernat, Lehmkuhl, Oriol, Vinuesa Motilva, Ricardo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/439313
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/439313
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2025.109913
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Deep reinforcement learning
Active flow control
Drag reduction
Flow separation control
Computational fluid dynamics
Fluid mechanics airfoil
Energy efficiency
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física::Física de fluids
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Informàtica::Intel·ligència artificial::Aprenentatge automàtic
Descripción
Sumario:The aim of this study is to discover new active-flow-control (AFC) techniques for separation mitigation in a two-dimensional NACA 0012 airfoil at a Reynolds number of 3000. To find these AFC strategies, a framework consisting of a deep-reinforcement-learning (DRL) agent has been used to determine the action strategies to apply to the flow. The actions involve blowing and suction through jets at the airfoil surface. The flow is simulated with the numerical code Alya, which is a low-dissipation finite-element code, on a high-performance computing system. Various control strategies obtained through DRL led to 43.9% drag reduction, while others yielded an increase in aerodynamic efficiency of 58.6%. In comparison, periodic-control strategies demonstrated lower energy efficiency while failing to achieve the same level of aerodynamic improvements as the DRL-based approach. These gains have been attained through the implementation of a dynamic, closed-loop, time-dependent, active control mechanism over the airfoil.