Cell-Set Modelling for a Microtab Implementation on a DU91W(2)250 Airfoil

Alejandro Ballesteros-Coll,Ekaitz Zulueta,José Antonio Ramos-Hernanz,Iñigo Aramendia,Unai Fernandez-Gamiz

doi:10.3390/en13246723

Abstract

Microtabs (MTs) are a regularly used flow control device in terms of wind turbine optimization. The present study introduces the application of the novel cell-set model for an MT implementation on a DU91W(2)250 airfoil. The cell-set model is based on the reusability of a mesh to add new geometries on the domain; the matching geometry is located where the user requires, and a set of cells is constructed around the mentioned geometry. Subsequently, wall boundaries are assigned to the generated region. Computational simulations were carried out for fully mesh and cell-set models: MT lengths were set at 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% of the airfoil chord length (c) and the MTs were placed at 93% and 95% of c from the leading edge of the airfoil. Resulting data showed that the MT behavior was similar for both models with regard to aerodynamic performance curve representations. A global relative error of 3.784% was obtained for the cell-set model and a maximum relative error of 7.332% was determined. Qualitatively, both models generated significantly similar flow stream velocity wakes on the trailing edge area of the airfoil.

Highlights

According to the last report of the International Energy Agency (IEA), environmental impact concerns and future shortages necessitate the generation of electrical energy using non-polluting energy systems
The wake aerodynamics generated by an horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) were calculated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
The main goal of the current work is the analysis of the cell-set model performance for the implementation of a microtab (MT) on a DU91W(2)250 aerodynamic profile

Summary

Introduction

According to the last report of the International Energy Agency (IEA), environmental impact concerns and future shortages necessitate the generation of electrical energy using non-polluting energy systems. Wind turbine optimization is a noteworthy research field for the industry and scholar researchers. The optimization of wind turbines is usually carried out throughout numerical simulations. In a study by Howell et al [1], the aerodynamics of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) were analyzed experimentally and by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The aerodynamic improvements for horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) proved to be of higher interest in terms of energy production. The wake aerodynamics generated by an HAWT were calculated through CFD numerical simulations in research presented by Vermeer et al [2]

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Conclusion