Abstract
In order to optimize the wind turbine operation in ice prone cold regions, it is important to better understand the ice accretion process and how it affects the wind turbine performance. In this paper, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based 2D and 3D numerical techniques are used to simulate the airflow/droplet behaviour and resultant ice accretion on a 300 kW wind turbine blade. The aim is to better understand the differences in the flow behaviour and resultant ice accretion between both approaches, as typically the study of ice accretion on the wind turbine blade is performed using simple 2D simulations, where the 3D effects of flow (air & droplet) are ignored, which may lead to errors in simulated ice accretion. For 2D simulations, nine sections along a 300 kW wind turbine blade are selected, whereas for 3D study, a full-scale blade is used. The obtained results show a significant difference in the ice accretion for both approaches. Higher ice growth is observed in 2D approach when compared with the full-scale 3D simulations. CFD simulations are carried out for three different icing conditions (typical, moderate and extreme), in order to estimate the extent of differences the different operating conditions can introduce on the ice accretion process in the 2D and the 3D simulations. Complex ice shapes are observed in case of extreme ice conditions, which affect the aerodynamic performance of the blade differently from typical and moderate ice conditions.
Highlights
The primary appeal for the wind energy in cold climate regions are the higher air densities and wind speeds, which provide significant benefits to power production
Within this study, a series of multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations on a 300 kW wind turbine blade have been performed using 2D and 3D numerical simulations
The 2D simulations were performed on the nine blade sections of interest, while the 3D simulations were performed on the entire wind turbine blade in full scale
Summary
The primary appeal for the wind energy in cold climate regions are the higher air densities and wind speeds, which provide significant benefits to power production. Hazards for the design and safety of wind turbine [3], [4] This highlights the need to better understand the ice accretion process on wind turbine blades with the aim to improve safety and to reduce the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) related to wind turbine operations in the cold regions. The accreted ice changes the blade geometry and increases its surface roughness, altering the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine blade [6], [7]. This primarily results in the decrease of lift force and increase of drag force, which leads to reduction in the aerodynamic performance of blade and overall power production. The accreted ice shape along the blade’s leading edge depends upon many variables, such as
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
