A thermographic method to evaluate laminar bubble phenomena on airfoil operating at low Reynolds number

Abstract The aim of this research is the study of the laminar boundary layer separation phenomena on aerodynamic bodies by infrared thermography. The presence and the size of laminar bubble are mainly observed. A thermographic method is adjusted to detect the presence and the longitudinal dimension of the laminar bubble. In this region the convective heat transfer coefficient is lower than in the surroundings, because of the recirculating flow. Heating the airfoil surface, the laminar bubble will appear warmer than the other zones and so it is possible to know its presence and position