Numerical study on the influence of vortex generators on wind turbine aerodynamic performance considering rotational effect

Abstract

Based on the γ-Reθt transition model, the S809 airfoil and Phase VI wind turbine rotating blades are simulated and compared with the experimental data. In order to explore the three-dimensional rotation effect (TDRE) on aerodynamic performance, the aerodynamic characteristics and flow fields structure of the blade and airfoil under the same Re are compared. The Inverse blade element moment (IBEM) method is used to obtain the local angle of attack (AoA) and relative velocity of the wind turbine blade. In addition, the flow fields of each blade section with and without vortex generators (VGs) are compared, and the influence of VGs on the flow separation is analyzed through the output torque and pressure coefficient of the wind turbine. The results show that the TDRE is obvious at the blade root, which can effectively delay the separation; VGs further delay airflow separation on the blade surface and increase the lift coefficients (CL) of 0.3R blade section at 10 m/s and 13 m/s by 4.4% and 0.6%. The output torques of the wind turbine with VGs are raised by 3.73%, 8.74% and 10.82% at 10, 13 and 15 m/s respectively. The calculated results are in good agreement with the results of Phase VI wind turbine and the Ohio State University (OSU) test.