Aerodynamic effects of leading‐edge tape on aerofoils at low Reynolds numbers

A systematic wind tunnel study was conducted to gain an understanding of the aerodynamic effects of leading‐edge tape, which is typically used on small wind turbines as a protection from blade erosion. The wind tunnel tests included lift and drag measurements over the Reynolds number range from 150,000 to 500,000. In addition, flow visualization experiments were carried out. Various tape configurations were tested on five aerofoils, namely the BW‐3, FX 63‐137, S822, SG6042 and SG6051. Although the magnitude of the aerodynamic effects of the tape was aerofoil‐dependent, it was found that extending the tape beyond 5% chord and staggering multiple tape layers were most beneficial in minimizing the loss in aerofoil performance. The practical significance of the results on wind turbine performance is discussed. In particular, the data for the SG6042 aerofoil were used to quantify the effects of the tape on the power coefficient of small variable‐speed wind turbines. Overall, the different tape configurations tested reduced the power coefficient by no more than 2·1%. From the trends shown, however, larger reductions in power coefficient should be expected for larger wind turbines than those considered, particularly if two layers of tape are used. In light of this study, guidelines for optimum application are suggested. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of leading edge erosion on wind turbine blade performance

This paper presents results of a study to investigate the effect of leading edge erosion on the aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine airfoil. The tests were conducted on the DU 96‐W‐180 wind turbine airfoil at three Reynolds numbers between 1 million and 1.85 million, and angles of attack spanning the nominal low drag range of the airfoil. The airfoil was tested with simulated leading edge erosion by varying both the type and severity of the erosion to investigate the loss in performance due to an eroded leading edge. Tests were also run with simulated bugs on the airfoil to assess the impact of insect accretion on airfoil performance. The objective was to develop a baseline understanding of the aerodynamic effects of varying levels of leading edge erosion and to quantify their relative impact on airfoil performance. Results show that leading edge erosion can produce substantial airfoil performance degradation, yielding a large increase in drag coupled with a significant loss in lift near the upper corner of the drag polar, which is key to maximizing wind turbine energy production. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbine blades with a sinusoidal leading edge

The aerodynamic characteristics of a kind of bionic wind turbine blades with a sinusoidal leading edge have been investigated in this paper based on a three‐dimensional Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes simulation. The calculated results show that compared with a straight leading‐edge blade, the new‐type blade has a great improvement in shaft torque at high wind speeds. The localized vortices shedding from the leading‐edge tubercles, which can generate a much greater peak of the leading‐edge suction pressure than that from the straight leading‐edge case, are the physical essentials to enhance the wavy blade's aerodynamic performances as the blade goes into stall. In particular, the outboard segment from the 60%R station to the blade tip is the key region for wavy leading‐edge blades to improve the aerodynamic characteristics at high‐speed inflows. In this key region, a wavy blade can obtain a greater power output as the wavelength l and the waveheight δ increase. The present numerical results also show that the wavy leading‐edge shape is unfavorable for a wind turbine blade under the design conditions (e.g., at the rated wind speed). At these conditions, an early boundary‐layer separation as a result of the geometric disturbances of the leading‐edge tubercles will inevitably result in a visible shaft‐torque reduction in the wavy‐blade cases. Anyway, the wavy blades still tend to generate a more robust power output as a whole from 10 to 20 m s ^?1 than the original NREL phase‐VI blade. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

仿鸮翼非光滑前缘对风力机叶片气动性能的影响

经过数百万年的进化,鸮形目鸟类在其飞行行为上显现出许多优异的特征。文章选取鸮翼的非光滑前缘作为仿生对象,设计出一种仿生风力机叶片,并分析非光滑前缘结构对风力机叶片气动性能的影响。采用S-A湍流模型,对低雷诺数下原型风力机叶片和仿生风力机叶片进行绕流流场模拟。模拟结果表明,在大攻角下,仿生风力机叶片的前缘凸起能够改变气流在叶片表面的流向分布,使气流在吸力面仍保持附着流动,进而减少叶片吸力面的失速区,有效延缓叶片失速现象的发生,从而使得仿生风力机叶片的失速角比原型风力机叶片的失速角推迟了10°左右,改善了风力机叶片的气动性能。     

前缘结节对风力机气动性能影响的数值研究

基于座头鲸的鱼鳍前缘结节的流动特性,开展前缘结节对改造的Phase Ⅵ仿生风力机叶片性能及流动特性影响的数值研究。结果表明：在设计工况下（V_∞=10 m/s）,结节放置在叶片展向81%位置时,叶片根部的回流区域消除,但结节处的旋涡扰动会破坏叶片稳定流动,使叶片性能相对较低。在高风速下（V_∞=15、20、25 m/s）,由于前缘结节的结构特征,叶片表面产生旋涡,发生阻塞作用,叶片吸力侧压力减小,叶片正背面压差增大,升力增大,进而使仿生叶片的性能得到提升。     

Quantification of wind turbine energy loss due to leading-edge erosion through infrared-camera imaging,numerical simulations,and assessment against SCADA and meteorological data

Quantification of the performance degradation on the annual energy production (AEP) of a wind farm due to leading-edge (LE) erosion of wind turbine blades is important to design cost-effective maintenance plans and timely blade retrofit. In this work, the effects of LE erosion on horizontal axis wind turbines are quantified using infrared (IR) thermographic imaging of turbine blades, as well as meteorological and SCADA data. The average AEP loss of turbines with LE erosion is estimated from SCADA and meteorological data to be between 3% and 8% of the expected power capture. The impact of LE erosion on the average power capture of the turbines is found to be higher at lower hub-height wind speeds (peak around 50% of the turbine rated wind speed) and at lower turbulence intensity of the incoming wind associated with stable atmospheric conditions. The effect of LE erosion is investigated with IR thermography to identify the laminar to turbulent transition (LTT) position over the airfoils of the turbine blades. Reduction in the laminar flow region of about 85% and 87% on average in the suction and pressure sides, respectively, is observed for the airfoils of the investigated turbines with LE erosion. Using the observed LTT locations over the airfoils and the geometry of the blade, an average AEP loss of about 3.7% is calculated with blade element momentum simulations, which is found to be comparable with the magnitude of AEP loss estimated through the SCADA data.     

Experimentally validated three-dimensional computational aerodynamics of wind turbine blade sections featuring leading edge erosion cavities

Wind turbine blade leading edge erosion reduces the lift and increases the drag of the blade airfoils. This occurrence, in turn, reduces turbine power and energy yield. This study focuses on the aerodynamic analysis of large and sparse erosion cavities, observed in intermediate to advanced erosion stages, whose size and surface pattern do not lend themselves to experimental and numerical analysis by means of distributed roughness models alone. Making use of three-dimensional Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics enhanced by laminar-to-turbulent transition modeling, and geometrically resolving individual erosion cavities, the study validates this simulation-based approach for predicting the aerodynamics and performance loss of blade sections featuring the aforementioned erosion cavities against available experimental data. It is found that the considered cavities can trigger transition, indicating the necessity of both resolving their geometry in the simulations and also modeling distributed surface roughness, of typically lower level, as this latter affects the properties of boundary layers and, if sufficiently high, may trigger transition over the entire spanwise length affected. The energy yield loss of a utility-scale turbine due to the considered erosion pattern is found to be between 2.1% and 2.6% using measured and computed force data of the nominal and eroded outboard blade airfoil. A parametric analysis of the cavity geometry suggests that the geometry of the cavity edge has a much larger impact on aerodynamic performance than the cavity depth.     

Wind turbine blade coating leading edge rain erosion model: Development and validation

This paper applies existing research to develop an analytical surface fatigue model to predict the initiation of leading edge erosion on wind turbine blade coatings due to rainfall. We have used rain erosion whirling arm tests to determine the surface impact fatigue resistance of different coatings used in the field. The analytic model has been validated to predict the initiation of wind turbine leading edge erosion by using a large data base of photos of leading edge erosion observations taken from wind farms in multiple countries, offshore, and onshore. The aerodynamic impact of the erosion has also been modeled and been used to determine the expected sectional efficiency loss of the damaged airfoils. Combining the leading edge erosion forecast model with the efficiency reduction model, we can predict annual energy production loss over time on different sites due to rain‐induced wind turbine blade coating leading edge erosion.     

Wind turbine aerodynamic response under atmospheric icing conditions

This article deals with the atmospheric ice accumulation on wind turbine blades and its effect on the aerodynamic performance and structural response. The role of eight atmospheric and system parameters on the ice accretion profiles was estimated using the 2D ice accumulation software lewice Twenty‐four hours of icing, with time varying wind speed and atmospheric icing conditions, was simulated on a rotor. Computational fluid dynamics code, FLUENT, was used to estimate the aerodynamic coefficients of the blade after icing. The results were also validated against wind tunnel measurements performed at LM Wind Power using a NACA64618 airfoil. The effects of changes in geometry and surface roughness are considered in the simulation. A blade element momentum code WT‐Perf is then used to quantify the degradation in performance curves. The dynamic responses of the wind turbine under normal and iced conditions were simulated with the wind turbine aeroelastic code HAWC2. The results show different behaviors below and above rated wind speeds. In below rated wind speed, for a 5 MW virtual NREL wind turbine, power loss up to 35% is observed, and the rated power is shifted from wind speed of 11 to 19 m s^?1. However, the thrust of the iced rotor in below rated wind speed is smaller than the clean rotor up to 14%, but after rated wind speed, it is up to 40% bigger than the clean rotor. Finally, it is briefly indicated how the results of this paper can be used for condition monitoring and ice detection. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-destructive and contactless defect detection inside leading edge coatings for wind turbine blades using mid-infrared optical coherence tomography

Leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades is one of the most critical issues in wind energy production, resulting in lower efficiency, as well as increased maintenance costs and downtime. Erosion is initiated by impacts from rain droplets and other atmospheric particles, so to protect the blades, special protective coatings are applied to increase their lifetime without adding significantly to the weight or friction of the blade. These coatings should ideally absorb and distribute the force away from the point of impact; however, microscopic defects, such as bubbles, reduce the mechanical performance of the coating, leading to cracks and eventually erosion. In this work, mid-infrared (MIR) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is investigated for non-destructive, contactless inspection of coated glass-fiber composite samples to identify subsurface coating defects. The samples were tested using rubber projectiles to simulate rain droplet and particle impacts. The samples were subsequently imaged using OCT, optical microscopy, and X-ray tomography. OCT scanning revealed both bubbles and cracks below the surface, which would not have been detected using ultrasonic or similar non-destructive methods. In this way, OCT can complement the existing quality control in turbine blade manufacturing, help improve the blade lifetime, and reduce the environmental impact from erosion.     

Prediction of aerodynamic performance of NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine considering power loss at varying wind speeds

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the aerodynamic performance of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine with single rotor and full wind turbine. Using statistical methods, the relation between pitch angle and performance when the speed is above the rated wind speed was analyzed; furthermore, other published data were compiled to establish the functional equations of power, thrust with various inflow wind speeds, and pitch angles. In addition, according to shape optimization based on parametric modeling, the two-dimensional cross-section of the wind turbine blade can be defined through a metasurface approach, and the three-dimensional surface modeling of the wind turbine blade, nacelle, and tower is completed using the nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS) interpolator. In terms of aerodynamic simulation, the unstructured polygon mesh was used herein to discretize the space and simulate the highly curved and twisted surfaces of the blade. In this study, the compact and accurate mesh form obtained through a grid independence test will be used to analyze the distribution of the pressure coefficient, shear stress coefficient, and limited streamline on the blade surface at various inflow wind speeds and pitch angles to understand the differences between different turbulence models and the causes of power and thrust attenuation at high inflow wind speeds. In addition, the phenomena of blade-tip vortices, dynamic stall, blade loading, and the interaction between nacelle and tower were collectively explored.     

风力机叶片翼型气动性能数值模拟

采用数值模拟方法对NACA23012,NACA4412,S809,S810等4种常用风力机叶片翼型进行了研究,分析了翼型静止与振荡时的气动性能.随着攻角的增加,静止翼型的升力系数先增大后减小,其阻力系数一直增大,显示出NACA4412翼型具有较好的低风速启动性能;振荡翼型的升力系数随着攻角的变化呈现一个闭合迟滞环曲线,显示出振荡翼型S809的动态失速迟滞效应最为明显.文章参照模拟结果和对比试验数据,验证了数值模拟的可靠性.     

Numerical investigation of unsteady aerodynamics of a Horizontal‐axis wind turbine under yawed flow conditions

In the present study, unsteady flow features and the blade aerodynamic loading of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory phase VI wind turbine rotor, under yawed flow conditions, were numerically investigated by using a three‐dimensional incompressible flow solver based on unstructured overset meshes. The effect of turbulence, including laminar‐turbulent transition, was accounted for by using a correlation‐based transition turbulence model. The calculations were made for an upwind configuration at wind speeds of 7, 10 and 15 m/sec when the turbine rotor was at 30° and 60° yaw angles. The results were compared with measurements in terms of the blade surface pressure and the normal and tangential forces at selected blade radial locations. It was found that under the yawed flow conditions, the blade aerodynamic loading is significantly reduced. Also, because of the wind velocity component aligned tangent to the rotor disk plane, the periodic fluctuation of blade loading is obtained with lower magnitudes at the advancing blade side and higher magnitudes at the retreating side. This tendency is further magnified as the yaw angle becomes larger. At 7 m/sec wind speed, the sectional angle of attack is relatively small, and the flow remains mostly attached to the blade surface. At 10 m/sec wind speed, leading‐edge flow separation and strong radial flow are observed at the inboard portion of the retreating blade. As the wind speed is further increased, the flow separation and the radial flow become more pronounced. It was demonstrated that these highly unsteady three‐dimensional aerodynamic features are well‐captured by the present method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

尾缘襟翼对风力机翼型气动特性影响研究

尾缘襟翼(TEF)因其对翼型气动特性的调控能力,被认为是降低叶片疲劳和局部载荷最具可行性的气动控制部件。对TEF进行建模,采用Xfoil和CFD软件分析了TEF对翼型气动特性的影响及其机理,并从叶素理论角度对变化来流下TEF的减载效果进行了验证,结果表明:TEF位于不同摆角时翼型升阻力系数均有不同程度的变化,TEF可有效实现对翼型气动特性的主动控制;TEF摆动改变了翼型表面的静压分布和流动状态,进而对翼型升阻力和失速攻角产生影响;TEF可快速有效降低风速突然增加后的叶素受力,进而控制并减小叶片载荷。     

Prospective challenges in the experimentation of the rain erosion on the leading edge of wind turbine blades

Developments in the wind industry reveal intricate engineering challenges, one of them being the erosion on the leading edge of the wind turbine blades. In this review work, the main issues for the wind industry in the experimentation with respect to erosion are examined. After a historical and general overview of erosion, this review focuses on the rain erosion on the leading edge of the wind turbine blades giving prominence to (1) the rain simulations, (2) experimental erosion facilities, and (3) variables to characterise erosion. These three factors have to be improved to establish a research field enabling the prediction of erosion behaviour and providing useful information about how the rainfall affects the leading edge of the wind turbine blades. Moreover, these improvements in the experimentation of the erosion would be a first step to understand and predict the erosion damage of the wind turbine blades. Finally, this review work also will help to cope with experimental investigations and results in the rain erosion on the leading edge with a deeper critical thinking for future researchers.     

Fluid structure interaction of a morphed wind turbine blade

One serious challenge of energy systems design, wind turbines in particular, is the need to match the system operation to the variable load. This is so because system efficiency drops at off‐design load. One strategy to address this challenge for wind turbine blades and obtain a more consistent efficiency over a wide load range, is varying the blade geometry. Predictable morphing of wind turbine blade in reaction to wind load conditions has been introduced recently. The concept, derived from fish locomotion, also has similarities to spoilers and ailerons, known to reduce flow separation and improve performance using passive changes in blade geometry. In this work, we employ a fully coupled technique on CFD and FEM models to introduce continuous morphing to desired and predetermined blade design geometry, the NACA 4412 profile, which is commonly used in wind turbine applications. Then, we assess the aerodynamic behavior of a morphing wind turbine airfoil using a two‐dimensional computation. The work is focused on assessing aerodynamic forces based on trailing edge deflection, wind speed, and material elasticity, that is, Young's modulus. The computational results suggest that the morphing blade has superior part‐load efficiency over the rigid NACA blade. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

风力机翼型尾缘厚度对粗糙敏感性影响的研究

综合应用涡面元和RANS方法,研究DU93-W-210、DU91-W2-250及DU97-W-300这3种常用翼型经尾缘修型后尾缘厚度对粗糙敏感性的影响.在涡面元方法中采用设置固定转捩和在RANS方法中采用设置锯齿形边界条件的方式来模拟翼型前缘污染,研究发现前缘污染造成翼型吸力峰降低,引起翼型气动性能下降,然而随着尾缘...     

叶片前缘偏转对H型垂直轴水轮机性能的影响

为提高传统直叶片升力型（H型）垂直轴水轮机的获能效率,提出一种带前缘可偏转叶片的新型垂直轴水轮机,利用计算流体力学（CFD）方法,结合重叠网格和动网格技术对这种新型垂直轴水轮机叶轮的水动力性能进行系统的数值模拟计算,分析不同叶尖速比下带前缘偏转叶片的垂直轴水轮机绕流流场,从而探究前缘偏转角度和偏转长度对这种水轮机动力性能和获能效率的影响规律。结果表明,根据叶片旋转到不同位置时实施前缘偏转可改变来流攻角从而减缓或抑制叶片吸力面的流动分离,有效改善其动态失速特性,进而使H型垂直轴水轮机的水动力性能和获能效率得到明显提升。研究发现,低叶尖速比下这种改善效果最为显著,可拓宽H型垂直轴水轮机高效运行的工作范围。     

变桨距风力机叶片的气动优化设计

首先利用Wilson方法进行叶片的外形初步设计,然后以设计攻角作为变量,以额定风速下功率系数最大为优化目标,建立了1 MW变桨距风力机叶片气动外形优化模型,采用遗传算法进行了优化再设计。通过对3叶片1 MW风力机进行的气动性能评价结果表明,优化后的风力机具有更好的气动性能,说明采用该优化方法进行变桨距风力机设计具有明显的优越性。     

The application of passive air jet vortex‐generators to stall suppression on wind turbine blades

An experimental study was performed to assess the feasibility of passive air jet vortex‐generators to the performance enhancement of a domestic scale wind turbine. It has been demonstrated that these simple devices, properly designed and implemented, can provide worthwhile performance benefits for domestic wind turbines of the type investigated in this study. In particular, this study shows that they can increase the maximum output power coefficient, reduce the cut‐in wind speed and improve power output at lower wind speeds while reducing the sensitivity to wind speed unsteadiness. A theoretical performance analysis of a 500 kW stall‐regulated wind turbine, based on blade element momentum theory, indicates that passive air jet vortex‐generators would be capable of recovering some of the power loss because of blade stall, thereby allowing attainment of rated power output at slightly lower average wind speeds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.