Turbulence-Model Comparison for Aerodynamic-Performance Prediction of a Typical Vertical-Axis Wind-Turbine Airfoil
Fluid Mechanics Area, Department of Energy, University of Oviedo, C/Wifredo Ricart s/n, 33204 Gijón, Spain
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Energies 2019, 12(3), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12030488
Received: 16 January 2019 / Revised: 30 January 2019 / Accepted: 31 January 2019 / Published: 2 February 2019
(This article belongs to the Section Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy)
In this work, different turbulence models were applied to predict the performance of a DU-06-W-200 airfoil, a typical choice for vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT). A compromise between simulation time and results was sought, focusing on the prediction of aerodynamic forces and the developed flow field. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation (U-RANS) models and Scale-Resolving Simulations (SRS), such as Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS) and Detached Eddy Simulation (DES), were tested, with -based turbulence models providing the most accurate predictions of aerodynamic forces. A deeper study of three representative angles of attack (5 , 15 , and 25 ) showed that U-RANS models accurately predict aerodynamic forces with low computational costs. SRS modeling generates more realistic flow patterns: roll-up vortices, vortex packets, and stall cells have been identified, providing a richer unsteady flow-field description. The power spectrum density of velocity at has confirmed a broadband spectrum in DES simulations, with a small peak at a Strouhal number of 0.486. Finally, indications regarding the selection of the turbulence model depending on the desired outcome (aerodynamic forces, airfoil flow field, or VAWT simulation) are provided, tending toward U-RANS models for the prediction of aerodynamic forces, and SRS models for flow-field study.
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Keywords:
wind-turbine airfoil; computational fluid dynamics; turbulence-model comparison; airfoil-performance prediction
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MDPI and ACS Style
Meana-Fernández, A.; Fernández Oro, J.M.; Argüelles Díaz, K.M.; Velarde-Suárez, S. Turbulence-Model Comparison for Aerodynamic-Performance Prediction of a Typical Vertical-Axis Wind-Turbine Airfoil. Energies 2019, 12, 488.
AMA Style
Meana-Fernández A, Fernández Oro JM, Argüelles Díaz KM, Velarde-Suárez S. Turbulence-Model Comparison for Aerodynamic-Performance Prediction of a Typical Vertical-Axis Wind-Turbine Airfoil. Energies. 2019; 12(3):488.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMeana-Fernández, Andrés; Fernández Oro, Jesús M.; Argüelles Díaz, Katia M.; Velarde-Suárez, Sandra. 2019. "Turbulence-Model Comparison for Aerodynamic-Performance Prediction of a Typical Vertical-Axis Wind-Turbine Airfoil" Energies 12, no. 3: 488.
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