Computational fluid dynamics investigation of some wind turbine rotor design parameters

Gómez-Iradi, S. and Barakos, G. N. (2008) Computational fluid dynamics investigation of some wind turbine rotor design parameters. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 222(5), pp. 455-470. (doi: 10.1243/09576509JPE526)

Abstract

This article presents an investigation of the relative importance of key design parameters of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) blade. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used as the main tool, after validation against experimental data of the (National Aeronautics and Space Administration/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) NREL/NASA-Ames Phase VI wind tunnel campaign. Tip and root sections, blade aspect ratio, and pitch angle were analysed and all CFD calculations were performed using a compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier—Stokes solver. CFD grids of advanced multi-block topologies were used including up to 4.5 million cells. A grid convergence study indicated that a resolution of 3.4 million cells was adequate for the selected flow conditions, which correspond to an upwind wind turbine at 0° yaw angle, 7 m/s wind speed, and 72 r/min rotational speed. Various root and tip configurations were considered and the results obtained indicate that the exact representation of the root and tip geometry of an HAWT has a small but finite effect in the thrust and torque levels at working conditions. This effect is however secondary to the effects of aspect ratio and blade pitch.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barakos, Professor George
• Authors: Gómez-Iradi, S., and Barakos, G. N.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part A: Journal of Power and Energy
• Publisher: Professional Engineering Publishing
• ISSN: 0957-6509
• ISSN (Online): 2041-2967