Progress Towards Multi-Block Large Eddy Simulations for Wind Turbine Aeroacoustics

Abstract

This paper reports on the recent progress towards a multi-block Large Eddy Simulation (LES) code with OVERSET grid capability that is under development for studying various components of wind turbine noise. Two of the most important components of wind turbine noise are believed to be tip noise and trailing edge noise. The present LES code is therefore being customized towards the study of these two noise components. The LES code employs state-of-the-art compact flnite difierencing, implicit spatial flltering and non-re∞ecting boundary conditions. High-order accurate interpolation is also used so as to transfer information among the individual component grids that make up the OVERSET grid topology. The multi-block nature and the OVERSET grid capability of the code allow high-order accurate numerical solutions around wind turbine blade geometries. Preliminary results for the ∞ow over a ∞at plate with a blunt trailing edge and the tip vortex problem on a generic stationary wing geometry with a rounded tip are presented to illustrate possible applications of the computational methodology.