Enhancing Aerodynamic Performance of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade Aerodynamic Performance Under Rough Wall Condition Using Vortex Generators

Abstract

In the complex and harsh working environment of wind turbines, the horizontal axis wind turbine blade is increasingly confronted with the issue of surface roughening. It leads to a decrease and instability in the output power of the horizontal axis wind turbine. Vortex generator have emerged as a potential solution to this problem by regulating the flow patterns on the blade surface. This research focuses on exploring the impact of vortex generator on the aerodynamic performance of blades under rough wall condition by wind tunnel experiment and computational fluid dynamics simulation. It is important to improve the aerodynamic performance of horizontal axis wind turbine under rough condition. The results show that vortex generator changes the airfoil aerodynamic performance by slowing the stall angle of attack and increasing the ratio of lift-drag in some angles of attack. vortex generator delays the flow separation of the suction surface under the rough wall condition. It is able to counteract the reduction in the aerodynamic performance of blade under rough wall condition. At tip speed ratio is 5.83, vortex generator increased power coefficient by 47.8% under rough wall condition by reducing the flow separation area of 33% radius and weakening the spanwise flow. The study found that the vortex generator effectively eliminated the negative effects of blade surface roughening on aerodynamic performance, improved the roughness insensitivity of the blade, and has good potential for future applications.

Keywords

• wind turbine airfoil
• horizontal axis wind turbine blade
• vortex generator
• rough wall condition
• aerodynamic performance