Abstract
This paper presents the parameterization and optimization of two well-known airfoils. The aerodynamic shape optimization investigation includes the subsonic (NREL S-821) and transonic airfoils (RAE-2822). The class shape transformation is employed for parametrization while the genetic algorithm is used for optimization purposes. The absolute scheme of the optimization process is carried out for the minimization of the drag coefficient and maximization of lift to drag ratio. In-house MATLAB code is incorporated with a genetic algorithm to calculate the drag coefficient and lift to drag ratio of the resulting optimized airfoil. The panel method is utilized in genetic algorithm optimization code to calculate pressure distribution, lift coefficient, and lift to drag ratio for optimized airfoil shapes and validates with XFOIL and NREL experimental data. Furthermore, CFD analysis is conducted for both the original (NREL S-821) and optimized airfoil obtained. The present method shows that the optimized airfoil achieved an improvement in lift to drag ratio by 7.4% and 15.9% of S-821 and RAE-2822 airfoil, respectively, by the panel technique method and provides high design desirable stability parameters. These features significantly improve the overall aerodynamic performance of the newly optimized airfoils. Finally, the improved aerodynamics results are reported for the design of turbulence modeling and NREL phase II, Phase III, and Phase VI HAWT blades.
Highlights
The increase in global energy consumption and the decrease in fossil fuels forces governments to spend more on alternative energy resources
XFOIL based flow solver is called in the genetic algorithm (GA) optimization process to calculate coefficient of drag (Cd), Coefficient of Lift (Cl), and lift to drag (L/D) ratio for generated optimized airfoil, and pressure distribution curve is extracted at 3◦ angle of attack (AOA)
The whole optimization process was accomplished with in-house MATLAB code
Summary
The increase in global energy consumption and the decrease in fossil fuels forces governments to spend more on alternative energy resources. The fast-growing trend of wind energy worldwide has increased the demand for efficient and optimized performance of airfoil, which further paved the way for energy harvesting systems. To harvest maximum energy from the wind, a properly designed airfoil is required for wind turbine blades to maximize lift and minimize drag. Airfoil design is important to increase the aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine rotor. The optimization of aerodynamic shape has become crucial with the rapid development of aerospace and mechanical engineering. As Igor Rodriguez-Eguia et al [3] explained, the idea to control devices and aerodynamic shapes that locally change the aerodynamic performance of the airfoil on the wind turbine blade. The parametric method in aerodynamic shape plays a crucial role in the optimized process of airfoil optimization. A good parameterization method with fewer design parameters can handle larger shape changes of the wing in the design space [4]
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