Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the wake behind the MEXICO rotor in axial flow conditions

Carrion, M., Steijl, R. , Woodgate, M., Barakos, G. , Munduate, X. and Gomez-Iradi, S. (2015) Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the wake behind the MEXICO rotor in axial flow conditions. Wind Energy, 18(6), pp. 1023-1045. (doi: 10.1002/we.1745)

Abstract

This paper presents a computational investigation of the wake of the MEXICO rotor. The compressible multi-block solver of Liverpool University was employed, using a low-Mach scheme to account for the low-speed flow near the blade and in the wake. In this study, computations at wind speeds of 10, 15 and 24 m s − 1 were performed, and the three components of the velocity were compared against experimental data around the rotor blade up to one and a half rotor diameters downstream. Overall, fair agreement was obtained with the computational fluid dynamics showing good vortex conservation near the blade. Vorticity values revealed discontinuities in the wake at approximately 70%R, where two different aerofoils with different zero-lift angles are blended. The results suggest that all-Mach schemes for compressible computational fluid dynamics methods can deliver good performance and accuracy over all wind speeds for flows around wind turbines, without the need to switch between incompressible and compressible flow methods.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barakos, Professor George and Woodgate, Dr Mark and Carrion, Ms Marina and Steijl, Dr Rene
• Authors: Carrion, M., Steijl, R., Woodgate, M., Barakos, G., Munduate, X., and Gomez-Iradi, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Wind Energy
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
• ISSN: 1095-4244
• ISSN (Online): 1099-1824