scholarly journals On turbulence models and lidar measurements for wind turbine control

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1491-1500
Author(s):  
Liang Dong ◽  
Wai Hou Lio ◽  
Eric Simley

Abstract. To provide comprehensive information that will assist in making decisions regarding the adoption of lidar-assisted control (LAC) in wind turbine design, this paper investigates the impact of different turbulence models on the coherence between the rotor-effective wind speed and lidar measurement. First, the differences between the Kaimal and Mann models are discussed, including the power spectrum and spatial coherence. Next, two types of lidar systems are examined to analyze the lidar measurement coherence based on commercially available lidar scan patterns. Finally, numerical simulations have been performed to compare the lidar measurement coherence for different rotor sizes. This work confirms the association between the measurement coherence and the turbulence model. The results indicate that the lidar measurement coherence with the Mann turbulence model is lower than that with the Kaimal turbulence model. In other words, the potential value creation of LAC based on simulations during the wind turbine design phase, evaluated using the Kaimal turbulence model, will be diminished if the Mann turbulence model is used instead. In particular, the difference in coherence is more significant for larger rotors. As a result, this paper suggests that the impacts of different turbulence models should be considered uncertainties while evaluating the benefits of LAC.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Dong ◽  
Wai Hou Lio ◽  
Eric Simley

Abstract. To provide comprehensive information that will assist in making decisions regarding the adoption of LiDAR assisted control (LAC) in wind turbine design, this paper investigates the impact of different turbulence models on the coherence between the rotor effective wind speed and LiDAR measurement. First, the differences between the Kaimal and Mann models are discussed, including the power spectrum and spatial coherence. Next, two types of LiDAR systems are examined to analyze the LiDAR measurement coherence based on commercially available LiDAR scan patterns. Finally, numerical simulations have been performed to compare the LiDAR measurement coherence for different rotor sizes. This work confirms the association between the measurement coherence and the turbulence model. The results indicate that the LiDAR measurement coherence with the Mann turbulence model is lower than that with the Kaimal turbulence model. In other words, the value creation of LAC, evaluated using the Kaimal turbulence model, will be diminished if the Mann turbulence model is used instead. In particular, the difference in coherence is more significant for larger rotors. As a result, this paper suggests that the impacts of different turbulence models should be considered as uncertainties while evaluating the benefits of LAC.


Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 404
Author(s):  
Charles Patrick Bounds ◽  
Sudhan Rajasekar ◽  
Mesbah Uddin

This paper presents a study on the flow dynamics involving vehicle interactions. In order to do so, this study first explores aerodynamic prediction capabilities of popular turbulence models used in computational fluid dynamics simulations involving tandem objects and thus, ultimately presents a framework for CFD simulations of ground vehicle platooning using a realistic vehicle model, DrivAer. Considering the availability of experimental data, the simulation methodology is first developed using a tandem arrangement of surface-mounted cubes which requires an understanding on the role of turbulence models and the impacts of the associated turbulence model closure coefficients on the prediction veracity. It was observed that the prediction accuracy of the SST k−ω turbulence model can be significantly improved through the use of a combination of modified values for the closure coefficients. Additionally, the initial validation studies reveal the inability of the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach to resolve the far wake, and its frailty in simulating tandem body interactions. The Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations (IDDES) approach can resolve the wakes with a reasonable accuracy. The validated simulation methodology is then applied to the fastback DrivAer model at different longitudinal spacing. The results show that, as the longitudinal spacing is reduced, the trailing car’s drag is increased while the leading car’s drag is decreased which supports prior explanations of vortex impingement as the reason for drag changes. Additionally, unlike the case of platooning involving Ahmed bodies, the trailing model drag does not return to an isolated state value at a two car-length separation. However, the impact of the resolution of the far wake of a detailed DrivAer model, and its implication on the CFD characterization of vehicle interaction aerodynamics need further investigations.


Author(s):  
N S Tachos ◽  
A E Filios ◽  
D P Margaris

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 439-450
Author(s):  
Jonas Kazda ◽  
Jakob Mann

Abstract. For the first time an analytical solution for the quantification of the spatial variance of the second-order moment of correlated wind speeds was developed in this work. The spatial variance is defined as random differences in the sample variance of wind speed between different points in space. The approach is successfully verified using simulation and field data. The impact of the spatial variance on three selected applications relevant to the wind energy sector is then investigated including mitigation measures. First, the difference of the second-order moment between front-row wind turbines of Lillgrund wind farm is investigated. The variance of the difference ranges between 25 % and 48 % for turbulence intensities ranging from 7 % to 10 % and a sampling period of 10 min. It is thus suggested to use the second-order moment measured at each individual turbine as input to flow models of wind farm controllers in order to mitigate random error. Second, the impact of the spatial variance of the measured second-order moment on the verification of wind turbine performance is investigated. Misalignment between the mean wind direction and the line connecting the meteorological mast and wind turbine is observed to result in an additional random error in the observed second-order moment of wind speed. In the investigated conditions the random error was up to 34 %. Such a random error adds uncertainty to the turbulence intensity-based classification of the fatigue loads and power output of a wind turbine. To mitigate the random error, it is suggested to either filter the measured data for low angles of misalignment or quantify wind turbine performance using the ensemble-averaged measurements of the same wind conditions. Third, the verification of sensors in wind farms was investigated with respect to the impact of distant reference measurements. In the case of a misalignment between the wind direction and the line connecting sensor and reference, an increased random error will hamper the comparison of the measured second-order moments. The suggested mitigation measures are equivalent to those for the verification of turbine performance.


Author(s):  
Bryan E. Kaiser ◽  
Svetlana V. Poroseva ◽  
Michael A. Snider ◽  
Rob O. Hovsapian ◽  
Erick Johnson

A relatively high free stream wind velocity is required for conventional horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) to generate power. This requirement significantly limits the area of land for viable onshore wind farm locations. To expand a potential for wind power generation and an area suitable for onshore wind farms, new wind turbine designs capable of wind energy harvesting at low wind speeds are currently in development. The aerodynamic characteristics of such wind turbines are notably different from industrial standards. The optimal wind farm layout for such turbines is also unknown. Accurate and reliable simulations of a flow around and behind a new wind turbine design should be conducted prior constructing a wind farm to determine optimal spacing of turbines on the farm. However, computations are expensive even for a flow around a single turbine. The goal of the current study is to determine a set of simulation parameters that allows one to conduct accurate and reliable simulations at a reasonable cost of computations. For this purpose, a sensitivity study on how the parameters variation influences the results of simulations is conducted. Specifically, the impact of a grid refinement, grid stretching, grid cell shape, and a choice of a turbulent model on the results of simulation of a flow around a mid-sized Rim Driven Wind Turbine (U.S. Patent 7399162) and in its near wake is analyzed. This wind turbine design was developed by Keuka Energy LLC. Since industry relies on commercial software for conducting flow simulations, STAR-CCM+ software [1] was used in our study. A choice of a turbulence model was made based on the results from our previous sensitivity study of flow simulations over a rotating disk [2].


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Masami Suzuki

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.


Aviation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Ehsan RAFIEE ◽  
Mohammad Bagher Mohammad SADEGHIAZAD

The air separators are used to provide safe, clean and appropriate air to the helicopter’s engine. In this operational study, the separation process inside a Ranque-Hilsch air separator cleaning system has been investigated to analyze the impact of choosing the appropriate turbulence model for predicting the separation process inside the air separator. This research is directed towards presenting a computational fluid dynamic explanation performed on a counter-flow air separator using air at different magnitudes of air flow fraction and applying different turbulence models. In a numerical investigation of counter-flow air separator, air has been chosen and its vortex separation phe- nomenon has been analyzed as a function of flow fraction. Furthermore, a numerical analysis to compare the outputs of a seven equation RSM turbulence model applied for the study of vortex separation of a counter-flow air separator with some two-equation turbulence methods, namely, k-ε and k-ω model as well as LES has been presented. All of the turbulence numerical methods are seen to present and predict the same flow pattern inside an air separator, but, with various details. The results show that among the tested methods the RSM creates the most accurate separation pattern. The numerical results are validated by some available experimental data with good agreement.


Author(s):  
Lene Eliassen ◽  
Erin E. Bachynski

The wind turbine design standards advise choosing one of two recommended turbulence models for load simulations of offshore wind turbines. The difference in fatigue loads for the two turbulence models is relatively small for bottom-fixed wind turbines, but some floating wind turbines show a higher sensitivity to the chosen turbulence model. In this study, the motions and mooring line fatigue damage of two semi-submersible floating wind turbines are investigated for three different wind speeds: 8 m/s, 14 m/s and 20 m/s, and three different wave states for each wind speed. For both concepts, the CSC 5 MW and the CSC 10 MW, the low-frequency surge response is important for the mooring line tension, and the simulations using the Kaimal turbulence model give the largest variation in tension at the surge eigenfrequency. However, using the Mann turbulence model in the load simulations give a higher response in the range of the blade passing frequency (3P). The CSC 10 MW has a higher aerodynamic thrust relative to the CSC 5 MW, and will therefore have a larger surge response at the lower frequencies than the CSC 5 MW. At the lowest wind speed, where the variation in mooring line tension at surge eigenfrequency is high, the fatigue damage is larger if the Kaimal turbulence model is applied to the load simulations. However, at the highest wind speed, using the Mann turbulence model in the simulations, give a higher mooring line fatigue damage.


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