scholarly journals Influence of Turbulence Model for Wind Turbine Simulation in Low Reynolds Number

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Masami Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbulence Model ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiment ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Developed Turbulence

In designing a wind turbine, the validation of the mathematical model’s result is normally carried out by comparison with wind tunnel experiment data. However, the Reynolds number of the wind tunnel experiment is low, and the flow does not match fully developed turbulence on the leading edge of a wind turbine blade. Therefore, the transition area from laminar to turbulent flow becomes wide under these conditions, and the separation point is difficult to predict using turbulence models. The prediction precision decreases dramatically when working with tip speed ratios less than the maximum power point. This study carries out a steadiness calculation with turbulence model and an unsteadiness calculation with laminar model for a three-blade horizontal axis wind turbine. The validation of the calculations is performed by comparing with experimental results. The power coefficients calculated without turbulence models are in agreement with the experimental data for a tip speed ratio greater than 5.

Comparison of Wind Tunnel Airfoil Performance Data With Wind Turbine Blade Data

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Butterfield ◽  
George Scott ◽  
Walt Musial
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Force Coefficients ◽  
Basic Fluid

Horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) performance is usually predicted by using wind tunnel airfoil performance data in a blade element momentum theory analysis. This analysis assumes that the rotating blade airfoils will perform as they do in the wind tunnel. However, when stall-regulated HAWT performance is measured in full-scale operation, it is common to find that peak power levels are significantly greater than those predicted. Pitch-controlled rotors experience predictable peak power levels because they do not rely on stall to regulate peak power. This has led to empirical corrections to the stall predictions. Viterna and Corrigan (1981) proposed the most popular version of this correction. But very little insight has been gained into the basic cause of this discrepancy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), funded by the DOE, has conducted the first phase of an experiment which is focused on understanding the basic fluid mechanics of HAWT aerodynamics. Results to date have shown that unsteady aerodynamics exist during all operating conditions and dynamic stall can exist for high yaw angle operation. Stall hysteresis occurs for even small yaw angles and delayed stall is a very persistent reality in all operating conditions. Delayed stall is indicated by a leading edge suction peak which remains attached through angles of attack (AOA) up to 30 degrees. Wind tunnel results show this peak separating from the leading edge at 18 deg AOA. The effect of this anomaly is to raise normal force coefficients and tangent force coefficients for high AOA. Increased tangent forces will directly affect HAWT performance in high wind speed operation. This report describes pressure distribution data resulting from both wind tunnel and HAWT tests. A method of bins is used to average the HAWT data which is compared to the wind tunnel data. The analysis technique and the test set-up for each test are described.

A comparative numerical study of four turbulence models for the prediction of horizontal axis wind turbine flow

2010 ◽  
Vol 224 (9) ◽  
pp. 1973-1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
N S Tachos ◽  
A E Filios ◽  
D P Margaris
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbulence Model ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Free Field ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Wind Condition ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Rans Equations

The analysis of the near and far flow fields of an experimental National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) rotor, which has been used as the reference rotor for the Viscous and Aeroelastic Effects on Wind Turbine Blades (VISCEL) research program of the European Union, is described. The horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) flow is obtained by solving the steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier—Stokes (RANS) equations, which are combined with one of four turbulence models (Spalart—Allmaras, k—∊, k—∊ renormalization group, and k—ω shear stress transport (SST)) aiming at validation of these models through a comparison of the predictions and the free field experimental measurements for the selected rotor. The computational domain is composed of 4.2×106 cells merged in a structured way, taking care of refinement of the grid near the rotor blade in order to enclose the boundary layer approach. The constant wind condition 7.2 m/s, which is the velocity of the selected experimental data, is considered in all calculations, and only the turbulence model is altered. It is confirmed that it is possible to analyse a HAWT rotor flow field with the RANS equations and that there is good agreement with experimental results, especially when they are combined with the k—ω SST turbulence model.

Wind Tunnel Experiment on a Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sankaranarayanan ◽  
S. Krishnakumar ◽  
G. Victor PaulRaj ◽  
R. Rahul ◽  
S. Chitra Ganapathi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiment ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

scholarly journals Determination of the Angle of Attack on a Research Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Using Surface Pressure Measurements

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Soto-Valle ◽  
Sirko Bartholomay ◽  
Joerg Alber ◽  
Marinos Manolesos ◽  
Christian Navid Nayeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Rotor Blade ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor

Abstract. In this paper, a method to determine the angle of attack on a wind turbine rotor blade using a chordwise pressure distribution measurement was applied. The approach uses a reduced number of pressure taps data located close to the blade leading edge. The results were compared with three 3-hole probes located at different radial positions and analytical calculations. The experimental approaches are based on the 2-D flow assumption; the pressure tap method is an application of the thin airfoil theory and the 3-hole probe method uses external probe measurements and applies geometrical and induction corrections. The experiments were conducted in the wind tunnel at the Hermann Föttinger Institut of the Technische Unversität Berlin. The research turbine is a three-bladed upwind horizontal axis wind turbine model with a rotor diameter of 3 m. The measurements were carried out at rated condition with a tip speed ratio of 4.35 and different yaw and pitch angles were tested in order to compare both methods over a wide range of conditions. Results show that the pressure taps method is suitable with a similar angle of attack results as the 3-hole probes for the aligned case. When a yaw misalignment was introduced the method captures the same trend and feature of the analytical estimations. Nevertheless, it is not able to capture the tower influence. Regarding the influence of pitching the blades, a linear relationship between the angle of attack and pitch angle was found.

scholarly journals Effects of turbulence models and grid densities on computational accuracy of flows over a vertical axis wind turbine

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-222
Author(s):  
Jaruwan Chaiyanupong ◽  
Tawit Chitsomboon
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbulence Model ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Computational Accuracy ◽  
Shear Stress Transport

Flows through a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) are very complex due to their inherent unsteadiness caused by large variations of the angle of attacks as the turbine is rotating and changing its azimuth angles simultaneously. In addition, a turbine must go through a wide range of operating conditions especially the change in blade speed ratio (BSR). Accurate prediction of flows over VAWT using Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model needs a well-tested turbulence model as well as a careful grid control around the airfoil. This paper aimed to compare various turbulence models and seek the most accurate one. Furthermore, grid convergence was studied using the Roache method to determine the sufficient number of grid elements around the blade section. The three-dimensional grid was generated by extrution from the two-dimensional grid along with the appropriate y+ controlling. Comparisons were made among the three turbulence models that are widely used namely: the RNG model, the shear stress transport k-ω model (SST) and the Menter’s shear stress transport k-ω model (transition SST). Results obtained clearly showed that turbulence models significantly affected computational accuracy. The SST turbulence model showed best agreement with reported experimental data at BSR lower than 2.35, while the transition SST model showed better results when BSR is higher than 2.35. In addition, grid extruding technique with y+ control could reduce total grid requirement while maintaining acceptable prediction accuracy.Article History: Received April 15th 2018; Received in revised form June 16th 2018; Accepted September 17th 2018; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Chaiyanupong,J and Chitsomboon, T. (2018) Effects of Turbulence Models and Grid Densities on Computational Accuracy of Flows Over a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 7(3), 213-222.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.7.3.213-222

scholarly journals Design and Fabrication of Small Horizontal axis wind Turbine Rotors at Low Reynolds Number

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 4454-4463 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Tip Speed Ratio ◽  
Drag Ratio ◽  
Lift To Drag Ratio

This research paper presents a design and fabrication of 100 Watt small horizontal axis wind turbine with 0.24 m and 0.35 m rotor radius and tip speed ratio varies from 2 to 10 was designed and development for operated at low wind speed with Low Reynolds number. In this paper, a new airfoil profile was designed and developed, it’s denoted by MK115. The numerical and experimental analysis for 6 airfoils using Xfoil software was conducted with a view to evaluating the lift-to-drag ratio and angle of attack by means of the SD7024, SG6043, NACA2412, S1210, E213, and New Airfoil (MK115) tested. In simulation, new MK115 airfoil was the most convenient airfoil to start high energy production for low-wind applications, on the Reynolds number 25000, 50000, 75000, and 100000 in improved airfoil (MK115) tests an Open type wind tunnel. An Xfoil analysis to obtain further data on the flow characteristics was also conducted. (MK115) airfoil have CLmax of 0.92, 1.25, 1.69, 1.67 at Re=25k, 50k, 75k and 100k for an angle of attack is equal to 100 .A maximum lift to drag ratio (Cl/Cd) of 7,16,50,63 at Re=25k, 50k, 75k and 100k for New airfoil (MK115) at angle of attack (α) =40 , 40 , 80 , 80 . SG6043, NACA2412, E214, SD7034, S1210 and MK115 (New airfoil) have the Maximum Cp=0.37, 0.36, 0.4, 0.39, 0.44, and 0.44 at tip speed ratio (λ) =6 for Reynolds number is equal to 100000. MK115, Maximum Torque obtained 0.9744 Nm, 1.389 Nm and 2.4866 Nm at blade angle =0, 15 and 30 degrees respectively. Power coefficient (Cp) =0.51, 0.5, 0.46, and 0.4 at Rotor shaft angle=00 , 50 , 100 , and 150 respectively for the new airfoil results.

scholarly journals Effects of Inflow Shear on Wake Characteristics of Wind-Turbines over Flat Terrain

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takanori Uchida
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiment ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Flat Terrain ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor ◽  
Wake Characteristics

The scope of the present study was to understand the wake characteristics of wind-turbines under various inflow shears. First, in order to verify the prediction accuracy of the in-house large-eddy simulation (LES) solver, called RIAM-COMPACT, based on a Cartesian staggered grid, we conducted a wind-tunnel experiment using a wind-turbine scale model and compared the numerical and experimental results. The total number of grid points in the computational domain was about 235 million. Parallel computation based on a hybrid LES/actuator line (AL) model approach was performed with a new SX-Aurora TSUBASA vector supercomputer. The comparison between wind-tunnel experiment and high-resolution LES results showed that the AL model implemented in the in-house LES solver in this study could accurately reproduce both performances of the wind-turbine scale model and flow characteristics in the wake region. Next, with the LES solver developed in-house, flow past the entire wind-turbine, including the nacelle and the tower, was simulated for a tip-speed ratio (TSR) of 4, the optimal TSR. Three types of inflow shear, N = 4, N = 10, and uniform flow, were set at the inflow boundary. In these calculations, the calculation domain in the streamwise direction was very long, 30.0 D (D being the wind-turbine rotor diameter) from the center of the wind-turbine hub. Long-term integration of t = 0 to 400 R/Uin was performed. Various turbulence statistics were calculated at t = 200 to 400 R/Uin. Here, R is the wind-turbine rotor radius, and Uin is the wind speed at the hub-center height. On the basis of the obtained results, we numerically investigated the effects of inflow shear on the wake characteristics of wind-turbines over a flat terrain. Focusing on the center of the wind-turbine hub, all results showed almost the same behavior regardless of the difference in the three types of inflow shear.

scholarly journals Effect of Wind Tunnel Blockage on the Performance of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine with Different Blade Number

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelgalil Eltayesh ◽  
Magdy Bassily Hanna ◽  
Francesco Castellani ◽  
A.S. Huzayyin ◽  
Hesham M. El-Batsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Computational Effort ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Cross Section Area

Blockage corrections for the experimental results obtained for a small-scale wind turbine in a wind tunnel are required in order to estimate how the same turbine would perform in real conditions. The tunnel blockage is defined as the ratio of the wind turbine swept area to the wind tunnel cross-section area. Experimental measurements of the power coefficient were performed on a horizontal-axis wind turbine with two rotors of diameter equal to 2 m and different numbers of blades, namely three and five. Measurements were carried out for different tip speed ratios in the closed circuit open test section wind tunnel of the University of Perugia (Italy). The obtained experimental results were compared with the numerical ones carried out in free conditions by using a CFD approach based on the steady-RANS method with the SST k-ω turbulence model, adopting the multiple reference frame (MRF) strategy to reduce the computational effort. The comparison showed that the maximum value of blockage, which is reached in the asymptotic limit at very large tip speed ratio (TSR) values, does not depend appreciably on the number of blades. A higher number of blades, however, makes the occurrence of the maximum blockage come earlier at lower TSRs.

Solidity and Blade Number Effects on a Fixed Pitch, 50 W Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew M. Duquette ◽  
Jessica Swanson ◽  
Kenneth D. Visser
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Horizontal Axis ◽  
Optimum Operating ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Tip Speed Ratio ◽  
Blade Number

Experimental studies were conducted on a modified Rutland 500 horizontal axis wind turbine to evaluate numerical implications of solidity and blade number on the aerodynamic performance. Wind tunnel data were acquired on the turbine with flat-plate, constant-chord blade sets and optimum-designed blade sets to compare with theoretical trends, which had indicated that increased solidity and blade number more than conventional 3-bladed designs, would yield larger power coefficients, CP. The data for the flat plate blades demonstrated power coefficient improvements as the range of solidities was increased from 7% to 27%, but did not indicate performance gains for increased blade numbers. It was also observed that larger pitch angles decreased the optimum tip speed ratio range significantly with a small (5% or less) change in maximum CP. The optimum-design 3-bladed rotors produced an increased experimental CP as solidity increased, with reduced tip speed ratio, at the optimum operating point. As blade number was increased at a constant solidity of 10% from 3 to 12 blades, aerodynamic efficiency and power sharply decreased, contrary to the numerical predictions and the flat plate experimental results. Low Reynolds numbers and wind tunnel blockage effects limit these conclusions and a full scale prototype rotor is being constructed to examine the results of the numerical and experimental studies using a side-by-side comparison with a commercially available wind turbine at the Clarkson University wind-turbine test site.

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