Experimental and computational study of ice accretion effects on aerodynamic performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasad G. ◽  
Bruce Ralphin Rose J.
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Ice Accretion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Balsa Wood ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Ice Shapes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse an actual representation of ice accretions, which are important during the certification process. Design/methodology/approach Ice accretion experiments are conducted in a low-speed subsonic wind tunnel testing facility to evaluate the influence of various ice shapes around the airfoil sections. Ice accumulation changes the shapes of local airfoil sections and thereby affects the aerodynamic performance characteristics of the considered NACA 23012 profile. The ice profiles are impregnated using balsa wood with glace, horn and mixed ice accretion cases for the detailed experimental investigation. Findings Computational fluid dynamics analysis is done to compute the influence of different ice shapes on the aerodynamic coefficients (Cl and Cd) while ice accretion occurs at the leading edge of the airfoil sections. It is observed that the Cl and Cd modified immediately more than 40% as compared to the clean wing configuration. In the same fashion, the skin friction coefficient also abruptly changes for different ice shapes that have the potential to induce flutter at the critical speed of the airplane. The computational solutions are further validated through wind tunnel experiments and recent literature concerning certification for flight in icing conditions. Social implications The ice accretion study on the aerodynamic surfaces can also be extended for wind turbine blades installed at different cold regions around the globe. Further, the propeller icing influences the entire rotorcraft aerodynamics at low temperature conditions and the findings of this study are strongly connected with such problems. Originality/value The aerodynamic characteristics of the baseline airfoil are greatly affected by the ice accretion problem. Although flight through icing condition endures for a short duration, the takeoff path and decision speed are determined based on airplane drag as per federal aviation regulations. Hence, the proposed study is focussed on a cost-effective approach to predict the effect of ice accretion to achieve optimum performance.

UAV icing: the influence of airspeed and chord length on performance degradation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Hann ◽  
Tor Arne Johansen
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Performance Degradation ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
Chord Length ◽  
Ice Accretion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ice Accretions ◽  
Ice Shapes

Purpose The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of icing on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at low Reynolds numbers and to highlight the differences to icing on manned aircraft at high Reynolds numbers. This paper follows existing research on low Reynolds number effects on ice accretion. This study extends the focus to how variations of airspeed and chord length affect the ice accretions, and aerodynamic performance degradation is investigated. Design/methodology/approach A parametric study with independent variations of airspeed and chord lengths was conducted on a typical UAV airfoil (RG-15) using icing computational fluid dynamic methods. FENSAP-ICE was used to simulate ice shapes and aerodynamic performance penalties. Validation was performed with two experimental ice shapes obtained from a low-speed icing wind tunnel. Three meteorological conditions were chosen to represent the icing typologies of rime, glaze and mixed ice. A parameter study with different chord lengths and airspeeds was then conducted for rime, glaze and mixed icing conditions. Findings The simulation results showed that the effect of airspeed variation depended on the ice accretion regime. For rime, it led to a minor increase in ice accretion. For mixed and glaze, the impact on ice geometry and penalties was substantially larger. The variation of chord length had a substantial impact on relative ice thicknesses, ice area, ice limits and performance degradation, independent from the icing regime. Research limitations/implications The implications of this manuscript are relevant for highlighting the differences between icing on manned and unmanned aircraft. Unmanned aircraft are typically smaller and fly slower than manned aircraft. Although previous research has documented the influence of this on the ice accretions, this paper investigates the effect on aerodynamic performance degradation. The findings in this work show that UAVs are more sensitive to icing conditions compared to larger and faster manned aircraft. By consequence, icing conditions are more severe for UAVs. Practical implications Atmospheric in-flight icing is a severe risk for fixed-wing UAVs and significantly limits their operational envelope. As UAVs are typically smaller and operate at lower airspeeds compared to manned aircraft, it is important to understand how the differences in airspeed and size affect ice accretion and aerodynamic performance penalties. Originality/value Earlier work has described the effect of Reynolds number variations on the ice accretion characteristics for UAVs. This work is expanding on those findings by investigating the effect of airspeed and chord length on ice accretion shapes separately. In addition, this study also investigates how these parameters affect aerodynamic performance penalties (lift, drag and stall).

Experimental investigations of flow over NACA airfoils 0021 and 4412 of wind turbine blades with and without Tubercles

2021 ◽  
pp. 0309524X2110071
Author(s):  
Usman Butt ◽  
Shafqat Hussain ◽  
Stephan Schacht ◽  
Uwe Ritschel
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Critical Region ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades

Experimental investigations of wind turbine blades having NACA airfoils 0021 and 4412 with and without tubercles on the leading edge have been performed in a wind tunnel. It was found that the lift coefficient of the airfoil 0021 with tubercles was higher at Re = 1.2×105 and 1.69×105 in post critical region (at higher angle of attach) than airfoils without tubercles but this difference relatively diminished at higher Reynolds numbers and beyond indicating that there is no effect on the lift coefficients of airfoils with tubercles at higher Reynolds numbers whereas drag coefficient remains unchanged. It is noted that at Re = 1.69×105, the lift coefficient of airfoil without tubercles drops from 0.96 to 0.42 as the angle of attack increases from 15° to 20° which is about 56% and the corresponding values of lift coefficient for airfoil with tubercles are 0.86 and 0.7 at respective angles with18% drop.

scholarly journals Review of Icing Effects on Wind Turbine in Cold Regions

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 01007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Afzal ◽  
Muhammad S. Virk
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Added Mass ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Ice Accretion ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Ice Shedding

This paper describes a brief overview of main issues related to atmospheric ice accretion on wind turbines installed in cold climate region. Icing has significant effects on wind turbine performance particularly from aerodynamic and structural integrity perspective, as ice accumulates mainly on the leading edge of the blades that change its aerodynamic profile shape and effects its structural dynamics due to added mass effects of ice. This research aims to provide an overview and develop further understanding of the effects of atmospheric ice accretion on wind turbine blades. One of the operational challenges of the wind turbine blade operation in icing condition is also to overcome the process of ice shedding, which may happen due to vibrations or bending of the blades. Ice shedding is dangerous phenomenon, hazardous for equipment and personnel in the immediate area.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of Wind Turbine Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance with Leading Edge Bump

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Asli ◽  
Behnam Mashhadi Gholamali ◽  
Abolghasem Mesgarpour Tousi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Vortex Generator ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance

Aerodynamic performance improvement of wind turbine blade is the key process to improve wind turbine performance in electricity generated and energy conversion in renewable energy sources concept. The flow behavior on wind turbine blades profile and the relevant phenomena like stall can be improved by some modifications. In the present paper, Humpback Whales flippers leading edge protuberances model as a novel passive stall control method was investigated on S809 as a thick airfoil. The airfoil was numerically analyzed by CFD method in Reynolds number of 106and aerodynamic coefficients in static angle of attacks were validated with the experimental data reported by Somers in NREL. Therefore, computational results for modified airfoil with sinusoidal wavy leading edge were presented. The results revealed that, at low angles of attacks before the stall region, lift coefficient decreases slightly rather than baseline model. However, the modified airfoil has a smooth stall trend while baseline airfoil lift coefficient decreases sharply due to the separation which occurred on suction side. According to the flow physics over the airfoils, leading edge bumps act as vortex generator so vortices containing high level of momentum make the flow remain attached to the surface of the airfoil at high angle of attack and prevent it from having a deep stall.

Unsteady Flow in Oscillating Turbine Cascade: Part 1 — Linear Cascade Experiment

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. He
Keyword(s):  
Computational Study ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Computational Method ◽  
Reattachment Point ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Unsteady Pressure ◽  
Pressure Surface

An experimental and computational study has been carried out on a linear cascade of low pressure turbine blades with the middle blade oscillating in a torsion mode. The main objectives of the present work were to enhance understanding of the behaviour of bubble type of flow separation and to examine the predictive ability of a computational method. In addition, an attempt was made to address a general modelling issue: was the linear assumption adequately valid for such kind of flow? In Part 1 of this paper, the experimental work was described. Unsteady pressure was measured along blade surfaces using off-board mounted pressure transducers at realistic reduced frequency conditions. A short separation bubble on the suction surface near the trailing edge and a long leading-edge separation bubble on the pressure surface were identified. It was found that in the regions of separation bubbles, unsteady pressure was largely influenced by the movement of reattachment point, featured by an abrupt phase shift and an amplitude trough in the 1st harmonic distribution. The short bubble on the suction surface seemed to follow closely a laminar bubble transition model in a quasi-steady manner, and had a localized effect. The leading-edge long bubble on the pressure surface, on the other hand, was featured by a large movement of the reattachment point, which affected the surface unsteady pressure distribution substantially. As far as the aerodynamic damping was concerned, there was a destabilizing effect in the separated flow region, which was however largely balanced by the stabilizing effect downstream of the reattachment point due to the abrupt phase change.

Computation of Aerodynamic Performance Deterioration of Wind Turbine Blade Due to Ice Accretion

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kousuke Nushi ◽  
Shingo Kasai ◽  
Kazuyuki Toda ◽  
Makoto Yamamoto ◽  
Makoto Iida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Wind Turbine Blade ◽  
Ice Accretion ◽  
Power Generator ◽  
Wind Power Generator ◽  
Performance Deterioration ◽  
Severe Deterioration

The attention for a wind power-generator has been attracted as one of the solutions for the environmental problems. When a wind turbine is operated in winter, supercooled water droplets impinge on the blade surface, and as the result ice accretes around the leading edge. It is well known that the occurrence of ice accretion on the wind turbine blade can lead to the severe deterioration of aerodynamic performance. However, the experiment is difficult, because it is not easy to create repeatedly the accretion conditions in a laboratory. Therefore, CFD is expected as a useful tool to predict and investigate the phenomena. In the present study, we develop the ice accretion code, and apply it to the MEL wind turbine blade. From the computational results, the shape of the ice-accreted blade and the deterioration of aerodynamic performance are numerically investigated.

An experimental parametric study on planar sheared wings tip devices for low-to-moderate aspect ratio wings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourelay Moreira dos Santos ◽  
Guilherme Ferreira Gomes ◽  
Rogerio F. Coimbra
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Parametric Study ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Sweep Angle ◽  
Wind Tunnel Tests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wing Tips ◽  
Wing Tip

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of a low-to-moderate-aspect-ratio, tapered, untwisted, unswept wing, equipped of sheared wing tips. Design/methodology/approach In this work, wind tunnel tests were made to study the influence in aerodynamic characteristics over a typical low-to-moderate-aspect-ratio wing of a general aviation aircraft, equipped with sheared – swept and tapered planar – wing tips. An experimental parametric study of different wing tips was tested. Variations in its leading and trailing edge sweep angle as well as variations in wing tip taper ratio were considered. Sheared wing tips modify the flow pattern in the outboard region of the wing producing a vortex flow at the wing tip leading edge, enhancing lift at high angles of attack. Findings The induced drag is responsible for nearly 50% of aircraft total drag and can be reduced through modifications to the wing tip. Some wing tip models present complex geometries and many of them present benefits in particular flight conditions. Results have demonstrated that sweeping the wing tip leading edge between 60 and 65 degrees offers an increment in wing aerodynamic efficiency, especially at high lift conditions. However, results have demonstrated that moderate wing tip taper ratio (0.50) has better aerodynamic benefits than highly tapered wing tips (from 0.25 to 0.15), even with little less wing tip leading edge sweep angle (from 57 to 62 degrees). The moderate wing tip taper ratio (0.50) offers more wing area and wing span than the wings with highly tapered wing tips, for the same aspect ratio wing. Originality/value Although many studies have been reported on the aerodynamics of wing tips, most of them presented complex non-planar geometries and were developed for cruise flight in high subsonic regime (low lift coefficient). In this work, an exploration and parametric study through wind tunnel tests were made, to evaluate the influence in aerodynamic characteristics of a low-to-moderate-aspect-ratio, tapered, untwisted, unswept wing, equipped of sheared wing tips (wing tips highly swept and tapered).

Analysing and Optimizing the Aerodynamic Performance of Wind Turbine Blades Using Injected-Air Jets at Variable Frequency and Amplitude for Flow Control

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Hong ◽  
Huo Fupeng ◽  
Chen Zuoyi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Air Jet

Optimum aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine blade demands that the angle of attack of the relative wind on the blade remains at its optimum value. For turbines operating at constant speed, a change in wind speed causes the angle of attack to change immediately and the aerodynamic performance to decrease. Even with variable speed rotors, intrinsic time delays and inertia have similar effects. Improving the efficiency of wind turbines under variable operating conditions is one of the most important areas of research in wind power technology. This paper presents findings of an experimental study in which an oscillating air jet located at the leading edge of the suction surface of an aerofoil was used to improve the aerodynamic performance. The mean air-mass flowing through the jet during each sinusoidal period of oscillation equalled zero; i.e. the jet both blew and sucked. Experiments investigated the effects of the frequency, momentum and location of the jet stream, and the profile of the turbine blade. The study shows significant increase in the lift coefficient, especially in the stall region, under certain conditions. These findings may have important implications for wind turbine technology.

Aerodynamic Degradation of Iced Airfoils: Experiments and CFD Simulations

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Chara ◽  
V. Horak ◽  
D. Rozehnal
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Panel Method ◽  
Ice Accretion ◽  
Cfd Simulations ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Naca 0012 ◽  
Ice Shapes

The phenomenon of in-flight icing may affect all types of aircraft. Presence of ice on wings can lead to a number of aerodynamic degradation problems. Thus, it is important to understand the different ice shapes that can form on the wings and how they affect aerodynamics. When compared to wings without ice, wings with ice indicate decreased maximum lift, increased drag, changes in pressure distribution, stall occurring at much lower angles of attack, increased stall speed, and reduced controllability. The in-house ice accretion prediction code R-ICE using 2-D panel method was developed. The CFD simulation with the software ANSYS CFX 11.0 was used to simulate flow around iced airfoils NACA 0012. These airfoils were experimentally investigated in a wind tunnel. The paper presents a comparison of lift and drag coefficients experimentally observed and numerically simulated.

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