Research

26 pages, 5520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aerodynamic Analysis of a Two-Bladed Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Using a Coupled Unsteady RANS and Actuator Line Model

by Ruiwen Zhao, Angus C. W. Creech, Alistair G. L. Borthwick, Vengatesan Venugopal and Takafumi Nishino

Energies 2020, 13(4), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13040776 - 11 Feb 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3264

Abstract

Close-packed contra-rotating vertical-axis turbines have potential advantages in wind and hydrokinetic power generation. This paper describes the development of a numerical model of a vertical axis turbine with a torque-controlled system using an actuator line model (ALM). The developed model, coupled with the [...] Read more.

Close-packed contra-rotating vertical-axis turbines have potential advantages in wind and hydrokinetic power generation. This paper describes the development of a numerical model of a vertical axis turbine with a torque-controlled system using an actuator line model (ALM). The developed model, coupled with the open-source OpenFOAM computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, is used to examine the characteristics of turbulent flow behind a single two-bladed vertical-axis turbine (VAT). The flow field containing the turbine is simulated by solving the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations with a

k

-

ω

shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model. The numerical model is validated against experimental measurements from a two-bladed H-type wind turbine. Turbine loading is predicted, and the vorticity distribution is investigated in the vicinity of the turbine. Satisfactory overall agreement is obtained between numerical predictions and measured data on thrust coefficients. The model captures important three-dimensional flow features that contribute to wake recovery behind a vertical-axis turbine, which will be useful for future studies of close-packed rotors with a large number of blades. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 6464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Modified Free Wake Vortex Ring Method for Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines

by Jing Dong, Axelle Viré, Carlos Simao Ferreira, Zhangrui Li and Gerard van Bussel

Energies 2019, 12(20), 3900; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12203900 - 15 Oct 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3464

Abstract

A modified free-wake vortex ring model is proposed to compute the dynamics of a floating horizontal-axis wind turbine, which is divided into two parts. The near wake model uses a blade bound vortex model and trailed vortex model, which is developed based on [...] Read more.

A modified free-wake vortex ring model is proposed to compute the dynamics of a floating horizontal-axis wind turbine, which is divided into two parts. The near wake model uses a blade bound vortex model and trailed vortex model, which is developed based on vortex filament method with straight lifting lines assumption. By contrast, the far wake model is based on the vortex ring method. The proposed model is a good compromise between accuracy and computational cost, for example when compared with more complex vortex methods. The present model is used to assess the influence of floating platform motions on the performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine rotor. The results are validated on the 5 MW NREL rotor and compared with other aerodynamic models for the same rotor subjected to different platform motions. The results show that the proposed method is reliable. In addition, the proposed method is less time consuming and has similar accuracy when comparing with more advanced vortex based methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 3444 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Large Eddy Simulation of an Onshore Wind Farm with the Actuator Line Model Including Wind Turbine’s Control below and above Rated Wind Speed

by Andrés Guggeri and Martín Draper

Energies 2019, 12(18), 3508; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12183508 - 11 Sep 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2823

Abstract

As the size of wind turbines increases and their hub heights become higher, which partially explains the vertiginous increase of wind power worldwide in the last decade, the interaction of wind turbines with the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and between each other is [...] Read more.

As the size of wind turbines increases and their hub heights become higher, which partially explains the vertiginous increase of wind power worldwide in the last decade, the interaction of wind turbines with the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and between each other is becoming more complex. There are different approaches to model and compute the aerodynamic loads, and hence the power production, on wind turbines subject to ABL inflow conditions ranging from the classical Blade Element Momentum (BEM) method to Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) approaches. Also, modern multi-MW wind turbines have a torque controller and a collective pitch controller to manage power output, particularly in maximizing power production or when it is required to down-regulate their production. In this work the results of a validated numerical method, based on a Large Eddy Simulation-Actuator Line Model framework, was applied to simulate a real 7.7 MNW onshore wind farm on Uruguay under different wind conditions, and hence operational situations are shown with the aim to assess the capability of this approach to model actual wind farm dynamics. A description of the implementation of these controllers in the CFD solver Caffa3d, presenting the methodology applied to obtain the controller parameters, is included. For validation, the simulation results were compared with 1 Hz data obtained from the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System of the wind farm, focusing on the temporal evolution of the following variables: Wind velocity, rotor angular speed, pitch angle, and electric power. In addition to this, simulations applying active power control at the wind turbine level are presented under different de-rate signals, both constant and time-varying, and were subject to different wind speed profiles and wind directions where there was interaction between wind turbines and their wakes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of a Model for Estimating the Strength of a Vortex Created from the Bound Circulation of a Vortex Generator

by Martin O. L. Hansen, Antonis Charalampous, Jean-Marc Foucaut, Christophe Cuvier and Clara M. Velte

Energies 2019, 12(14), 2781; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12142781 - 19 Jul 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2559

Abstract

A hypothesis was tested and validated for predicting the vortex strength induced by a vortex generator in wall-bounded flow by combining the knowledge of the Vortex Generator (VG) geometry and the approaching boundary layer velocity distribution. In this paper, the spanwise distribution of [...] Read more.

A hypothesis was tested and validated for predicting the vortex strength induced by a vortex generator in wall-bounded flow by combining the knowledge of the Vortex Generator (VG) geometry and the approaching boundary layer velocity distribution. In this paper, the spanwise distribution of bound circulation on a vortex generator was computed by integrating the pressure force along the VG height, calculated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). It was then assumed that all this bound circulation was shed into a wake to fulfill Helmholtz’s theorem which then curls up into one primary tip vortex. To validate this, the trailed circulation estimated from the distribution of the bound circulation was compared to the one in the wake behind the vortex generator, determined directly from the wake velocities at some downstream distance. In practical situations, the pressure distribution on a vane is unknown and consequently other estimates of the spanwise force distribution on a VG must instead be applied, such as using 2D airfoil data corresponding to the VG geometry at each wall-normal distance. Such models have previously been proposed and used as an engineering tool to aid preliminary VG design. Therefore, it is not the purpose of this paper to refine such engineering models, but rather to validate their assumptions, such as applying a lifting line model on a VG that has a very low aspect ratio and is placed in a wall boundary layer. Herein, high Reynolds number boundary layer measurements of VG-induced flow were used to validate the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) model circulation results, which were used for further illustration and validation of the hypothesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 1550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Equilibrium Scaling Applied to the Wake Evolution of a Model Scale Wind Turbine

by Victor P. Stein and Hans-Jakob Kaltenbach

Energies 2019, 12(14), 2763; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12142763 - 18 Jul 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2534

Abstract

The present paper addresses the evolution of turbulence characteristics in wind turbine wakes immersed in a turbulent boundary layer. The study thereby focuses on finding physically consistent scaling laws for the wake width, the velocity deficit, and the Reynolds stresses in the far [...] Read more.

The present paper addresses the evolution of turbulence characteristics in wind turbine wakes immersed in a turbulent boundary layer. The study thereby focuses on finding physically consistent scaling laws for the wake width, the velocity deficit, and the Reynolds stresses in the far wake region. For this purpose, the concept of an added wake is derived which allows to analyse the self-similarity of the added flow quantities and the applicability of the non-equilibrium dissipation theory. The investigation is based on wind tunnel measurements in the wake of a three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbine model (HAWT) immersed in two neutrally-stratified turbulent boundary layers of different aerodynamic roughness length. The dataset also includes wake measurements for various yaw angles. A high degree of self-similarity is found in the lateral profiles of the velocity deficit and of the added Reynolds stress components. It is shown that these can be described by combined Gaussian shape functions. In the vertical, self-similarity can just be shown in the upper part of the wake. Moreover, it is observed that the degree of self-similarity is affected by the ground roughness. Results suggest an approximately constant anisotropy of the added turbulent stresses in the far wake, and the axial scaling of the added Reynolds stress components is found to be in accordance with non-equilibrium dissipation theory. It predicts a

x^{- 1}

decay of the added turbulent intensity

I_{+}

, and a

x^{- 2}

evolution of the added Reynolds shear stresses

Δ \bar{u_{i}^{'} u_{j}^{'}}

and the velocity deficit

Δ u

. Based on these findingsa semi-empirical model is proposed for predicting the Reynolds stresses in the far wake region which can easily be coupled with existing analytical wake models. The proposed model is found to be in good agreement with the measurement results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Variable Size Twin-Rotor Wind Turbine

by Piotr Doerffer, Krzysztof Doerffer, Tomasz Ochrymiuk and Janusz Telega

Energies 2019, 12(13), 2543; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12132543 - 02 Jul 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 11162

Abstract

The paper presents a new concept of a vertical axis wind turbine. The idea is focused on small wind turbines, and therefore, the dominating quality is safety. Another important necessary feature is efficient operation at small winds. This implies an application of the [...] Read more.

The paper presents a new concept of a vertical axis wind turbine. The idea is focused on small wind turbines, and therefore, the dominating quality is safety. Another important necessary feature is efficient operation at small winds. This implies an application of the drag driven solution such as the Savonius rotor. The presented concept is aimed at reducing the rotor size and the cost of implementation. A new wind turbine solution, its efficiency, and functionality are described. The results of numerical simulations being a proof of the concept are reported. The simulations were followed by wind tunnel tests. Finally several prototypes were built and investigated for a longer period of time. The new wind turbine concept has undergone various testing and implementation efforts, making this idea matured, well proven and documented. A new feature, namely, the wind turbine size reduction at strong winds, or in other words, an increase in the wind turbine size at low winds is the reason why it is difficult to compare this turbine with other turbines on the market. The power output depends not only on the turbine efficiency but also on its varying size. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 10108 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CFD Computation of the H-Darrieus Wind Turbine—The Impact of the Rotating Shaft on the Rotor Performance

by Krzysztof Rogowski

Energies 2019, 12(13), 2506; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12132506 - 28 Jun 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5800

Abstract

Aerodynamics of the Darrieus wind turbine is an extremely complex issue requiring the use of very advanced numerical methods. Additional structural components of this device, such as, for example, a rotating shaft disturb the flow through the rotor significantly impairing its aerodynamic characteristics. [...] Read more.

Aerodynamics of the Darrieus wind turbine is an extremely complex issue requiring the use of very advanced numerical methods. Additional structural components of this device, such as, for example, a rotating shaft disturb the flow through the rotor significantly impairing its aerodynamic characteristics. The main purpose of the presented research is to validate the commonly-used unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) approach with the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model based on the particle image velocimetry (PIV) studies of a two-bladed rotor operating at the moderate tip speed ratio of 4.5. In the present numerical studies, a two-dimensional turbine rotor with a diameter of 1 m was considered. The following parameters were evaluated: instantaneous velocity fields; velocity profiles in the rotor shadow and aerodynamic blade loads. The obtained numerical results are comparable with the reference experimental results taken from the literature. The second purpose of this work was to examine the influence of the rotating rotor shaft/tower on the wind turbine performance. It has been proven that the cylindrical shaft reduces the power of the device by 2.5% in comparison with the non-shaft configuration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 5112 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Determination of the Aerodynamic Damping of Wind Turbines Using the Forced Oscillations Method in Wind Tunnel Experiments

by Robert Fontecha, Frank Kemper and Markus Feldmann

Energies 2019, 12(12), 2452; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12122452 - 25 Jun 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4645

Abstract

The development of wind turbine technology has led to higher and larger wind turbines with a higher sensitivity to dynamic effects. One of these effects is the aerodynamic damping, which introduces favorable damping forces in oscillating wind turbines. These forces play an important [...] Read more.

The development of wind turbine technology has led to higher and larger wind turbines with a higher sensitivity to dynamic effects. One of these effects is the aerodynamic damping, which introduces favorable damping forces in oscillating wind turbines. These forces play an important role in the turbine lifetime, but have not yet been studied systematically in detail. Consequently, this paper studies the plausibility of determining the aerodynamic damping of wind turbines systematically through wind tunnel experiments using the forced oscillation method. To this end, a 1:150 scale model of a prototype wind turbine has been fabricated considering Reynolds number effects on the blades through XFOIL calculations and wind tunnel measurements of airfoil 2D-section models. The resulting tower and wind turbine models have been tested for different operation states. The tower results are approximate and show low aerodynamic damping forces that can be neglected on the safe side. The measured aerodynamic damping forces of the operating turbine are compared to existing analytic approaches and to OpenFAST simulations. The measured values, although generally larger, show good agreement with the calculated ones. It is concluded that wind tunnel forced oscillations experiments could lead to a better characterization of the aerodynamic damping of wind turbines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wake Effect of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine on the Performance of a Downstream Turbine

by Haojun Tang, Kit-Ming Lam, Kei-Man Shum and Yongle Li

Energies 2019, 12(12), 2395; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12122395 - 21 Jun 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3314

Abstract

This paper presents wind tunnel tests on the wake characteristics of a three-blade horizontal axis wind turbine and the wake effect on the performance of a downstream turbine. For a single turbine model, the performance was determined and this was followed by measurement [...] Read more.

This paper presents wind tunnel tests on the wake characteristics of a three-blade horizontal axis wind turbine and the wake effect on the performance of a downstream turbine. For a single turbine model, the performance was determined and this was followed by measurement of the wind characteristics including velocities, turbulence intensities, and correlation in the wake flow field. Subsequently, taking two horizontal axis wind turbines in a tandem arrangement into account, their performance was tested and the aerodynamic mechanism was discussed. The results showed that the upstream turbine with blades set at a small pitch angle provided smaller disturbance to the flow, but as the blade turned faster, larger changes in the velocity and the turbulence intensity occurred in its wake due to the more frequent disturbance of the wind turbine. The correlation of wake velocities in the turbine swept area also obviously decreased from the free-stream situation. For the downstream turbine, the output power loss largely depended on the wake characteristics of the upstream turbine, which was closely related to lower wind velocities or higher turbulence intensities. The decrease in correlation of the streamwise velocity within the blade swept area is accompanied by the increased correlation of the tangential velocity, which may be beneficial to the downstream turbine’s performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 23198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Laminar–Turbulent Transition on a Rotating Wind-Turbine Blade of Multimegawatt Class with Thermography and Microphone Array

by Torben Reichstein, Alois Peter Schaffarczyk, Christoph Dollinger, Nicolas Balaresque, Erich Schülein, Clemens Jauch and Andreas Fischer

Energies 2019, 12(11), 2102; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12112102 - 01 Jun 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4678

Abstract

Knowledge about laminar–turbulent transition on operating multi megawatt wind turbine (WT) blades needs sophisticated equipment like hot films or microphone arrays. Contrarily, thermographic pictures can easily be taken from the ground, and temperature differences indicate different states of the boundary layer. Accuracy, however, [...] Read more.

Knowledge about laminar–turbulent transition on operating multi megawatt wind turbine (WT) blades needs sophisticated equipment like hot films or microphone arrays. Contrarily, thermographic pictures can easily be taken from the ground, and temperature differences indicate different states of the boundary layer. Accuracy, however, is still an open question, so that an aerodynamic glove, known from experimental research on airplanes, was used to classify the boundary-layer state of a 2 megawatt WT blade operating in the northern part of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. State-of-the-art equipment for measuring static surface pressure was used for monitoring lift distribution. To distinguish the laminar and turbulent parts of the boundary layer (suction side only), 48 microphones were applied together with ground-based thermographic cameras from two teams. Additionally, an optical camera mounted on the hub was used to survey vibrations. During start-up (SU) (from 0 to 9 rpm), extended but irregularly shaped regions of a laminar-boundary layer were observed that had the same extension measured both with microphones and thermography. When an approximately constant rotor rotation (9 rpm corresponding to approximately 6 m/s wind speed) was achieved, flow transition was visible at the expected position of 40% chord length on the rotor blade, which was fouled with dense turbulent wedges, and an almost complete turbulent state on the glove was detected. In all observations, quantitative determination of flow-transition positions from thermography and microphones agreed well within their accuracy of less than 1%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fast Track Integration of Computational Methods with Experiments in Small Wind Turbine Development

by Michal Lipian, Michal Kulak and Malgorzata Stepien

Energies 2019, 12(9), 1625; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12091625 - 29 Apr 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3855

Abstract

In general, standard aerodynamic design is divided into two paths—numerical analysis and empirical tests. It is crucial to efficiently combine both approaches in order to entirely fulfill the requirements of the design process as well as the final product. An effective use of [...] Read more.

In general, standard aerodynamic design is divided into two paths—numerical analysis and empirical tests. It is crucial to efficiently combine both approaches in order to entirely fulfill the requirements of the design process as well as the final product. An effective use of computational analysis is a challenge, however it can significantly improve understanding, exploring and confining the search for optimal product solutions. The article focuses on a rapid prototyping and testing procedure proposed and employed at the Institute of Turbomachinery, Lodz University of Technology (IMP TUL). This so called Fast Track approach combines preparation of numerical models of a wind turbine rotor, manufacturing of its geometry by means of a 3D printing method and testing it in an in-house wind tunnel. The idea is to perform the entire procedure in 24 h. The proposed process allows one to determine the most auspicious sets of rotor blades within a short time. Owing to this, it significantly reduces the amount of individual subsequent examinations. Having fixed the initial procedure, it is possible to expand research on the singled-out geometries. The abovementioned observations and the presented overview of the literature on uses of 3D printing in aerodynamic testing prove rapid prototyping as an innovative and widely-applicable method, significantly changing our approach to experimental aerodynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

20 pages, 7027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Effect of Rotational Augmentation and Dynamic Stall on a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

by Chengyong Zhu, Tongguang Wang and Wei Zhong

Energies 2019, 12(8), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12081434 - 14 Apr 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3632

Abstract

Rotational augmentation and dynamic stall have been extensively investigated on horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs), but usually as separate topics. Although these two aerodynamic phenomena mainly determine the unsteady loads and rotor performance, the combined effect of rotational augmentation and dynamic stall is [...] Read more.

Rotational augmentation and dynamic stall have been extensively investigated on horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs), but usually as separate topics. Although these two aerodynamic phenomena mainly determine the unsteady loads and rotor performance, the combined effect of rotational augmentation and dynamic stall is still poorly understood and is challenging to model. We perform a comprehensive comparative analysis between the two-dimensional (2D) airfoil flow and three-dimensional (3D) blade flow to provide a deep understanding of the combined effect under yawed inflow conditions. The associated 2D aerodynamic characteristics are examined by the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes Simulations, and are compared with the experimental data of NREL Phase VI rotor in three aspects: aerodynamic hysteresis, flow field development, and dynamic stall regimes. We find that the combined effect can dramatically reduce the sectional lift and drag hysteresis by almost 60% and 80% from the supposed definitions of hysteresis intensity, and further delay the onset of stall compared with either of rotational augmentation and dynamic stall. The flow field development analysis indicates that the 3D separated flow is greatly suppressed in the manner of changing the massive trailing-edge separation into the moderate leading-edge separation. Furthermore, the 3D dynamic stall regime indicates a different stall type and an opposite trend of the separated zone development, compared with the 2D dynamic stall regime. These findings suggest that the modelling of 3D unsteady aerodynamics should be based on the deep understanding of 3D unsteady blade flow rather than correcting the existing 2D dynamic stall models. This work is helpful to develop analytical models for unsteady load predictions of HAWTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 12186 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CFD Validation of a Model Wind Turbine by Means of Improved and Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation in OpenFOAM

by Camilo A. Sedano, Frederik Berger, Hamid Rahimi, Omar D. Lopez Mejia, Martin Kühn and Bernhard Stoevesandt

Energies 2019, 12(7), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12071306 - 04 Apr 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3781

Abstract

With the ongoing increase in the size of wind turbines, experimental investigations have become more complicated and expensive. Therefore, computational models have proven to be a viable solution for design purposes. This article aims to validate CFD simulations of an experimental model wind [...] Read more.

With the ongoing increase in the size of wind turbines, experimental investigations have become more complicated and expensive. Therefore, computational models have proven to be a viable solution for design purposes. This article aims to validate CFD simulations of an experimental model wind turbine (MoWiTO 1.8) using Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) and Improved DDES (IDDES) turbulence modelling approaches. For the purpose of validation, integral quantities (such as power, thrust, torque and blade-root bending moment in the flapwise direction) measured in the wind tunnel are compared with numerical results obtained with OpenFOAM. In general, the computational results show a very good agreement with the measurements for most of the monitored quantities. In particular, the blade-root bending moment presents the largest difference, taking into account that the simulation assumes the turbine blades are rigid. Nevertheless, the simulation does achieve in recreating the turbulent behavior as can be evidenced by the Power Spectral Density graphs, and the wake’s velocity measurements. In general, the IDDES turbulent model achieves a better agreement to the experimental results, while maintaining a very similar computational time as the DDES model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 12094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Finite-Volume High-Fidelity Simulation Combined with Finite-Element-Based Reduced-Order Modeling of Incompressible Flow Problems

by M. Salman Siddiqui, Eivind Fonn, Trond Kvamsdal and Adil Rasheed

Energies 2019, 12(7), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12071271 - 02 Apr 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3812

Abstract

We present a nonintrusive approach for combining high-fidelity simulations using Finite-Volume (FV) methods with Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Galerkin Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) methodology. By nonintrusive we here imply an approach that does not need specific knowledge about the high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics [...] Read more.

We present a nonintrusive approach for combining high-fidelity simulations using Finite-Volume (FV) methods with Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Galerkin Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) methodology. By nonintrusive we here imply an approach that does not need specific knowledge about the high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver other than the velocity and pressure results given on an element mesh representing the related discrete interpolation spaces. The key step in the presented approach is the projection of the FV results onto suitable finite-element (FE) spaces and then use of classical POD Galerkin ROM framework. We do a numerical investigation of aerodynamic flow around an airfoil cross-section (NACA64) at low Reynolds number and compare the ROM results obtained with high-fidelity FV-generated snapshots against similar high-fidelity results obtained with FE using Taylor–Hood velocity and pressure spaces. Our results show that we achieve relative errors in the range of 1–10% in both

H_{1}

-seminorm of the computed velocities and in the

L_{2}

-norm of the computed pressure with reasonably few ROM modes. Similar accuracy was obtained for lift and drag. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 6417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Vortex Generator Height on Vortex Characteristics and Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance

by Xinkai Li, Ke Yang and Xiaodong Wang

Energies 2019, 12(5), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12050959 - 12 Mar 2019

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5686

Abstract

To explore the effect of the height of vortex generators (VGs) on the control effect of boundary-layer flow, the vortex characteristics of a plate and the aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil for VGs were studied by both wind tunnel experiments and numerical methods. [...] Read more.

To explore the effect of the height of vortex generators (VGs) on the control effect of boundary-layer flow, the vortex characteristics of a plate and the aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil for VGs were studied by both wind tunnel experiments and numerical methods. Firstly, the ratio of VG height (H) to boundary layer thickness (δ) was studied on a flat plate boundary layer; the values of H are 0.1δ, 0.2δ, 0.5δ, 1.0δ, 1.5δ, and 2.0δ. Results show that the concentrated vortex intensity and VG height present a logarithmic relationship, and vortex intensity is proportional to the average kinetic energy of the fluid in the height range of the VG. Secondly, the effects of height on the aerodynamic performance of airfoils were studied in a wind tunnel using three VGs with H = 0.66δ, 1.0δ, and 1.33δ. The stall angle of the airfoil with and without VGs is 18° and 8°, respectively, so the VGs increase the stall angle by 10°. The maximum lift coefficient of the airfoil with VGs increases by 48.7% compared with the airfoil without VGs, and the drag coefficient of the airfoil with VGs is 84.9% lower than that of the airfoil without VGs at an angle of attack of 18°. The maximum lift–drag ratio of the airfoil with VGs is lower than that of the airfoil without VGs, so the VGs do not affect the maximum lift–drag ratio of the airfoil. However, a VG does increase the angle of attack of the best lift–drag ratio. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 7565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation of Passive Vortex Generators on a Wind Turbine Airfoil Undergoing Pitch Oscillations

by Chengyong Zhu, Tongguang Wang and Jianghai Wu

Energies 2019, 12(4), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12040654 - 18 Feb 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3738

Abstract

Passive vortex generators (VGs) are widely used to suppress the flow separation of wind turbine blades, and hence, to improve rotor performance. VGs have been extensively investigated on stationary airfoils; however, their influence on unsteady airfoil flow remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated the [...] Read more.

Passive vortex generators (VGs) are widely used to suppress the flow separation of wind turbine blades, and hence, to improve rotor performance. VGs have been extensively investigated on stationary airfoils; however, their influence on unsteady airfoil flow remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated the unsteady aerodynamic responses of the DU-97-W300 airfoil with and without VGs undergoing pitch oscillations, which is a typical motion of the turbine unsteady operating conditions. The airfoil flow is simulated by numerically solving the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with fully resolved VGs. Numerical modelling is validated by good agreement between the calculated and experimental data with respect to the unsteady-uncontrolled flow under pitch oscillations, and the steady-controlled flow with VGs. The dynamic stall of the airfoil was found to be effectively suppressed by VGs. The lift hysteresis intensity is greatly decreased, i.e., by 72.7%, at moderate unsteadiness, and its sensitivity to the reduced frequency is favorably reduced. The influences of vane height and chordwise installation are investigated on the unsteady aerodynamic responses as well. In a no-stall flow regime, decreasing vane height and positioning VGs further downstream can lead to relatively high effectiveness. Compared with the baseline VG geometry, the smaller VGs can decrease the decay exponent of nondimensionalized peak vorticity by almost 0.02, and installation further downstream can increase the aerodynamic pitch damping by 0.0278. The obtained results are helpful to understand the dynamic stall control by means of conventional VGs and to develop more effective VG designs for both steady and unsteady wind turbine airfoil flow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 7673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Empirical BEM Corrections Relating to Angular and Axial Momentum Conservation

by Søren Hjort

Energies 2019, 12(2), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12020320 - 20 Jan 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4095

Abstract

The Blade-Element Momentum (BEM) model for Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), although extremely useful, is known to be approximate due to model formulation insufficiencies, for which add-ons and corrections have been formulated over the past many decades. Scrutiny of the axial and azimuthal momentum [...] Read more.

The Blade-Element Momentum (BEM) model for Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), although extremely useful, is known to be approximate due to model formulation insufficiencies, for which add-ons and corrections have been formulated over the past many decades. Scrutiny of the axial and azimuthal momentum conservation properties reveals momentum simplifications and absence of momentum sources not included in momentum theory underlying the standard BEM. One aspect relates to azimuthal momentum conservation, the wake swirl. This correction can be expressed analytically. Another aspect relates to axial momentum conservation, the wake expansion. This correction is not analytically quantifiable. The latter correction term is therefore quantified from postprocessing a large number of axisymmetric Actuator Disk (AD) Navier-Stokes computations with systematic variation of disk loading and tip-speed ratio. The new momentum correction terms are then included in the BEM model, and results benchmarked against references. The corrected BEM is derived by re-visiting the governing equations. For a disk represented by a constant-circulation set of blades, the corrected BEM contains no approximation to the underlying conservation laws. The study contributes by bridging the gap between BEM and the axisymmetric AD method for all disk load levels and tip speed ratios relevant for a wind turbine. The wake swirl correction leads to higher power efficiency at lower tip-speed ratios. The wake expansion correction causes a redistribution of the potential for power extraction, which increases on the inner part of the rotor and decreases on the outer part of the rotor. The overall rotor-averaged value of Betz limit is unaffected by the new corrections, but exceeding Betz locally on the inner- and mid-section of the rotor is shown to be possible. The two corrections significantly improve the axi-symmetric static BEM modelling accuracy for the radial distributions as well as for the rotor-integrated quantities, by reducing errors, approximately one order of magnitude. The relevance of these corrections for modern multi-MW rotors is quantified and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Recent Advances in Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (17 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI