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Article

Experimental Analysis of Oscillatory Vortex Generators in Wind Turbine Blade

by
Hector G. Parra
1,*,
Hernan D. Ceron
2,
William Gomez
3 and
Elvis E. Gaona
1
1
Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
2
Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
3
Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Bogotá 110111, Colombia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Energies 2023, 16(11), 4343; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114343
Submission received: 2 January 2023 / Revised: 24 February 2023 / Accepted: 10 March 2023 / Published: 26 May 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancement in Wind Turbine Technology)
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Abstract

Vortex generators are devices that modify the wind behavior near the surface of wind turbine blades. Their use allows the boundary layer shedding transition zone to be varied. Bio-inspired design has been used to improve the efficiency of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic systems by creating devices that use shapes present in animals and plants. In this work, an experimental methodology is proposed to study the effect of bio-inspired vortex generators and their effect on the structural vibration of a blade. In addition, the wind wake generated by the blade with oscillating vortex generators at different oscillation frequencies is analyzed by means of a hot wire anemometer, obtaining appreciable vibration reduction results in the measured 3D acceleration signals for wind velocities between 10 and 15 m/s. Values of the spectral components of the wake velocity measured at higher tunnel wind velocities increase. Spectral variance is reduced at higher tunnel wind velocities. The system analyzed in this paper can contribute in the future to the construction of actuators for vibration compensation systems in wind turbines.

1. Introduction

Efficient renewable energy production is currently being studied with different lines of research. Some lines aim to increase energy production and transition to clean resources [1], other lines investigate how to increase the lifetime of energy production systems [2,3,4]. In wind energy systems, the use of vortex generators or VG devices on turbine blades and how these devices increase service life and power output is studied by research groups [5,6,7]. Previous studies of animals and plants try to mimic their morphological characteristics and add them to wind turbines, this process is known as bio-inspiration, Bio-inspiration can be defined in mechanical engineering as the creation of mechanisms based on living organisms [8,9,10,11]. For this reason, some works analyze species and how their special characteristics allow them to survive in their environment. [8,12,13,14]. In this work we will study the behavior of vortex generators bio-inspired in the dorsal feathers of a peregrine falcon. It’s dorsal feathers present a behavior similar to that of the vortex generators used in wind turbine blades [15,16,17,18,19,20].
These feathers allow the falcon to achieve stable flights at over 350 km/h. Due to this, wind tunnel measurements are performed with a hot-wire anemometer, 3D digital accelerometer and a high-speed video camera to obtain information on the effect of vortex generators bio-inspired on a wind turbine blade. Pitch angle oscillations of VG’s are performed from 0 to 90 degrees and at frequencies fosc1 = 0 Hz, fosc2 = 1 Hz, fosc3 = 2 Hz, and fosc4 = 4 Hz.
The oscillations of vortex generators can alter the behavior of the wind wake. The analysis of the oscillatory effect of vortex generators on a blade is described by the following research method. For this reason, some works analyze species and how their special characteristics allow them to survive in their environment [16,17,18,19,20,21]. In this work, we will study the behavior of vortex generators bio-inspired by the dorsal feathers of a peregrine falcon. Its dorsal feathers present a behavior similar to that of the vortex generators used in wind turbine blades [22,23,24,25,26].
These feathers allow the falcon to achieve stable flights at over 350 km/h. Due to this, wind tunnel measurements are performed with a hot-wire anemometer, a 3D digital accelerometer, and a high-speed video camera to obtain information on the effect of vortex generators bio-inspired on a wind turbine blade. Pitch angle oscillations of VG’s are performed from 0 to 90 degrees and at frequencies fosc1 = 0 Hz, fosc2 = 1 Hz, fosc3 = 2 Hz, and fosc4 = 4 Hz. The oscillations of vortex generators can alter the behavior of the wind wake. The analysis of the oscillatory effect of vortex generators on blade is described by the following research method.

2. Materials and Methods

In order to achieve the analysis of the behavior of oscillating vortex generators on a wind turbine blade by wind tunnel experimentation, it is decided to use a s822 airfoil for the blade. This is one of the most used in families of high velocity turbines, or HAWT [21]. The research method developed consists of four phases (Figure 1).
Passive vortex generators are commercially produced for large turbines [19]. Turbulence studies near the blade surface are known as boundary layer studies [22]. Some of these studies experiment with the geometrical arrangement of the vortex generators and blade type [23], others with VAWT vertical axis [24], variable chord or fixed chord blades [25], moving tips [26], and others with suction surfaces [27].
Vortex generators are mechanical devices located on the surfaces of the wind rotor blades (Figure 2). They are mainly used to increase lift by controlling the shedding of the boundary layer, which allows greater use of the wind resource in the face of rapid changes in wind direction and thus increases the energy production of wind turbines [19].
The experimental setup developed consists of varying the wind tunnel velocity every 40 s and storing the accelerations and velocity of the wind wake generated by the prototype. The wind tunnel velocities are set at 5, 8, 10, 15, and 20 m/s. This blade is mounted on an aerodynamic housing, in which the acquisition circuit is located. The oscillating motion mechanism of the vortex generators is constructed with a shaft coupled to a servomotor. The oscillation frequency of the servomotor varies every 5 s.

3. Results

Figure 3 shows that with a 3D scanner and a dissected specimen, a CAD-3D model of the feathers is obtained. The collection of biological samples of feather from the back of a dissected falcon was donated by the Jaime Duque Zoo in Colombia (Figure 3).
The peregrine falcon is one of the most impressive and powerful birds of prey in the world. With a sleek, aerodynamic body and a wingspan of up to 47 inches, the Peregrine Falcon is built for speed and agility. It is renowned for its incredible hunting skills, which allow it to take down prey in mid-air at speeds of up to 240 miles per hour. The peregrine falcon is found throughout the world, inhabiting a wide range of habitats, including open grasslands, deserts, and coastal cliffs. It is a highly adaptable bird and is known to thrive in urban environments as well as in the wild. The Peregrine Falcon is a solitary bird, except during the breeding season when pairs will form to mate and raise their young. Males will perform elaborate courtship displays, which involve aerial acrobatics and vocalizations, to attract a mate. Once paired, the male will provide food for the female while she incubates the eggs.
Peregrine falcons are fierce predators, preying on a wide variety of small and medium-sized birds, as well as mammals and even large insects. They are particularly adept at hunting birds in flight and will often target species that are much larger than themselves. To catch their prey, they will use a high-speed dive known as a stoop, which allows them to close in on their target at incredible speeds. The peregrine falcon is a threatened species in some regions due to habitat loss, hunting, and poisoning from pesticides. Conservation efforts have been successful in some areas, and the Peregrine Falcon has made a comeback in many regions where it was once on the brink of extinction. The peregrine falcon is a magnificent bird of prey with incredible hunting skills and remarkable adaptability. Its impressive speed and agility have made it one of the most feared predators in the natural world, and its beauty and grace have made it a favorite of birdwatchers and falconers alike. As efforts to conserve this remarkable species continue, it is likely that the peregrine falcon will continue to be an iconic symbol of the power and resilience of the natural world. Figure 4 shows the CAD design development and construction of the bio-inspired vortex generator with its dimensions in millimeters based on previous studies of peregrine falcon descent flight [9,11].
These studies allow us to observe the elevation of six feathers on the back of the falcon, the addition of a linear arrangement of vortex generators with an axis of rotation, and then place this axis in the quarter chord of a blade with an s822 airfoil.
To generate the movement of the vortex generators, or VGs, a 2 mm diameter stainless steel shaft coupled to a 5VDC servomotor is used. This motor is controlled by sending an electrical voltage signal with PWM that varies its position angle between 0 and 90 degrees, as programmed in an ESP32 embedded system. The oscillation is configured at different frequencies: fosc1 = 0 Hz, fosc2 = 1 Hz, fosc3 = 2 Hz, and fosc4 = 4 Hz, and thus the effect on the wake generated is observed, while a relationship is presented to changes in the wind velocity of the tunnel. The normalized airfoil chord is associated with the bird length, and a vortex generator length of 0.16 is defined in Figure 4. With this relation and a 70 mm chord, the VG length is 11.2 mm. Figure 5 shows the electromechanical assembly of the sensors with the acquisition circuit and servomotor for the activation of the designed bio-inspired vortex generators; these devices were printed by 3D printing Formlabs 3+ with Gray V4 resin or standard resin, then coupled to a stainless-steel shaft of 2 mm diameter, achieving a linear arrangement of the VGs. The acquisition system designed and used communicates with a software application developed in MatLab through a Bluetooth data link; this allows for the real-time acquisition of wind velocity, temperature, and accelerations in X, Y, and Z coming from the digital sensors described above. The application is configured at the highest possible speed, achieving data acquisition with a sampling time of ts = 0.005 s.
The prototype is placed in a subsonic wind tunnel at the School of Aeronautical Engineering in Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil. The digital sensors used are a digital hot wire anemometer, which is located 50 mm from the blade trailing edge, and the 3D accelerometer, due to its dimensions, is located at the base of the blade prototype as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 7 shows the experimental wind tunnel setup for the prototype and video capture of blade motion in response to changes in velocity and oscillation frequency of the linear array of vortex generators programmed using an ESP32 embedded system.
The lifting or bending movement of the blade is generated by the increase in wind velocity in the wind tunnel. This blade was built by 3D printing, and as the velocity of the wind tunnel increases, the lift force increases and moves up the blade, as shown in Figure 8.
The measurements obtained with the anemometer are shown in Figure 9. The wind velocity is measured at 50 mm from the blade’s trailing edge. The wind’s temperature remains constant. The graph in Figure 9b shows fluctuations in each of the tunnel wind velocities. Fluctuations of the measured wind velocity are generated by the programmed oscillatory motion of the servomotor. The linear array of vortex generators varying their angular position is shown in Figure 10. The differences between the use and non-use of oscillatory VGs in the vane can be seen in the wind velocity fluctuations in the flat regions of the curves (Figure 9).
Figure 10 shows the oscillations configured for the servomotor and the output measured by the Rev-p hot-wire anemometer. The strongest generated wake velocity fluctuations were for tunnel wind velocities of 15 and 20 m/s. At low wind velocities, the influence of the oscillatory vortex generators has a low influence on the wake. Figure 10 shows that at each tunnel wind velocity change, two cycles of oscillation frequency changes of the VGs were performed. The wind velocity changes were performed manually, so it is necessary to segment the curve (colored squares) and thus perform a correct analysis of the fluctuations by FFT, or Fast Fourier Transform.
The samples segments indicated in colored boxes of the measured wind velocity Figure 10, will be analyzed by FFT to observe the behavior of the spectral components of magnitude and phase in Figure 12. Each color corresponds to the spectrum curve obtained. The accelerations measured with the digital 3D accelerometer were close to 1 g, or one gravity in the z-axis; for this reason, the mean value was subtracted from the signals to better appreciate the vibrations of the prototype. Removing the mean value shows variance reductions at wind tunnel velocities of 8 and 10 m/s. The last samples of the graphs indicate vibrations when the tunnel velocity is 0 m/s, which indicates that the measured accelerations or vibrations are generated by the pressure that the tunnel wind applies to the prototype. Peak acceleration values are seen at tunnel wind velocities of 5 m/s, 8 m/s, and 20 m/s (Figure 11).
The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is a powerful mathematical algorithm that is widely used in signal processing, data analysis, and image processing. It allows for the efficient computation of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of a sequence of values, which is a fundamental tool for analyzing periodic and non-periodic signals. The DFT is a mathematical tool that decomposes a signal into its constituent frequencies. It is defined as the sum of complex exponential functions that represent the amplitudes and phases of the different frequencies in the signal. The FFT has a wide range of applications in signal processing and data analysis. It is used to analyze audio signals, images, and other types of data that have a periodic or quasi-periodic structure. It is also used in digital filtering, where it is used to separate signals of interest from noise and other unwanted signals.
One of the key advantages of the FFT is its ability to provide a high level of accuracy and precision in the analysis of signals. It can detect even very small variations in signal frequency, phase, and amplitude. This makes it a powerful tool for identifying patterns and trends in data that would be difficult to detect using other methods. Despite its many advantages, the FFT is not without its limitations. One of its main limitations is its sensitivity to data artifacts such as noise and outliers. These artifacts can distort the signal and lead to inaccurate results. Therefore, it is important to preprocess the data before applying the FFT to ensure that it is free from artifacts.
Using the fast Fourier transform, it is possible to obtain the magnitude spectrum and the phase spectrum. The spectra show the components of a signal in the frequency domain. The FFT function of MatLab was used to obtain the spectra of each of the segments of an equal number of samples (colored squares) in Figure 10. The spectra showed differences in the values of the signal components. At higher wind velocities, the spectral components increase their values and reduce their variance (Figure 12).

4. Discussion

The continuous mechanical improvement of generation systems with renewable resources is increasing their use. Currently, more efficient construction increases the use in various applications such as; power supply for monitoring systems, smart farms, non-interconnected areas, ships, recharging systems for mobile devices [29,30,31,32,33,34,35]. Mechanical design and control engineering works are inspired by forms and behaviors found in nature or biological organisms, and for this reason they are called bio-inspired systems. These systems are developed for ships and aircraft, creating new devices that contribute to improved energy efficiency, service life and stability. [36]. In the design of wind generators there are several design methodologies, some methodologies are based on the type of wind resource available.
These methodologies show a design based on tables described by the authors from measurements and analysis. [37]. Some authors evaluate the aerodynamics of their designs by measurements with instrumented wind tunnels, this has facilitated the evaluation of geometric improvements in the blades that seek drag reduction or boundary layer separation control, or structural vibration mitigation, noise reduction, among others. However, the construction of a wind tunnel requires physical space and many resources and maintenance. Vortices provide information about the aerodynamic behavior of a device, their analysis through CFD simulation has become a wide field of study, since their shape and intensity can indicate improvements or losses of aero-dynamic efficiency, increased turbulence, increased drag, among others, are usually measured by a relationship known as the Stoughal number. [38,39,40].
Vortex generators are devices that can generate a large amount of kinetic energy from a moving fluid. They are often referred to as "turbulators" and are used in a variety of engineering applications, from electricity generation to environmental pollution control. In this article, we will explore in detail what vortex generators are, how they work, and their applications in engineering. A vortex generator is a device that uses the energy of a fluid flow to create vortices inside it. Vortices are fluid whirlpools that form when the fluid flows through an obstacle, such as a plate or bump. The vortex generated by a vortex generator can be used to perform a variety of tasks, from mixing fluids to creating electrical energy. Computational Fluid Dynamics or CFD has generated a whole community, research lines related to the aerodynamic study by means of virtual wind tunnels or simulation domains based on finite volume, [41,42,43,44,45]. In mechanical engineering design in areas such as aeronautics and aero acoustics. There are simulation environments based on the FEM finite element methodology among which are: Power Flow, Ansys, Comsol and OpenFoam, these tools have allowed the development of simulations that contribute to the design and analysis of new devices and turbines in different universities around the world. Vortices in fluids are a phenomenon that can be described as a rotational behavior of the velocity vectors of the fluid, characterized by their occurrence in places with pressure differences, as for example in the wakes of aircraft wingtips. Vortex generators are used in a wide range of applications, from aircraft and wind turbines to race cars and even golf balls. Advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have made it possible to design and optimize vortex generators for specific applications, and researchers continue to explore new ways to use these simple devices to control airflow and improve performance. Bio-inspired vortex generators are wind energy devices that rely on the observation and study of nature to create efficient and sustainable designs. These devices are inspired by the way animals and plants harness vortices in nature for their benefit, such as the way whales swim or leaves move in the wind. This bio-inspired approach to vortex generator design aims to maximize wind energy efficiency by minimizing the drag and noise that occur in conventional windmill blade designs. In addition, these generators are more compact and lighter than conventional designs, making them more suitable for use in urban areas and on buildings.
The vibration measured at the base of the blade protype indicates vibration reductions for tunnel wind velocities between 10 and 15 m/s, this indicates that the oscillations of the linear array of vortex generators compensate the vibrations that the prototype experiences due to the contact with the wind, which indicates that the addition of these devices can be used in systems as compensators or anti-resonant to vibrations generated in structures or applications that interact with moving fluids, the compensations or vibrations were measured in a range close to 1g and with variations ± 0.04. As a future work, a frequency analysis of the measured accelerations will allow the generation of a frequency compensator control system that compensates structural vibrations by adjusting the velocity and oscillation angle of the linear array of active vortex generators, which can generate improvements in wind turbines and similar aerial applications.
Bio-inspired vortex generators are devices that are modeled after natural organisms and their unique capabilities. By mimicking the way that certain animals, plants, or other organisms generate vortices, engineers can design more efficient and effective vortex generators for use in a variety of engineering applications. One example of a bio-inspired vortex generator is the humpback whale. Humpback whales have small bumps on the leading edges of their flippers that generate vortices as they swim. These vortices reduce drag and increase lift, allowing the whale to move more efficiently through the water. Engineers have designed artificial vortex generators based on these bumps that can be used to reduce the drag on aircraft wings or wind turbines.
Another example of a bio-inspired vortex generator is the jellyfish. Jellyfish move by creating vortices with their bell-shaped bodies. These vortices propel the jellyfish forward without the need for a complex muscular system. Engineers have designed artificial vortex generators based on the shape of jellyfish that can be used to propel underwater vehicles or reduce the drag on submarine hulls. The study of bio-inspired vortex generators has also led to the development of new materials that can mimic the properties of natural organisms. For example, researchers have developed a synthetic material that mimics the properties of the slime layer on the skin of sharks. This material can reduce the drag on surfaces and increase their resistance to biofouling, which can be a major problem in marine engineering. Overall, bio-inspired vortex generators are an exciting area of research in engineering. By studying the natural world and applying the principles we learn to engineering problems, we can design more efficient and effective technologies that have a minimal impact on the environment. As technology continues to advance, we are likely to see even more bio-inspired vortex generators and other biomimetic technologies that revolutionize the way we approach engineering problems.

5. Conclusions

The vibration measured at the base of the blade indicates vibration reductions for tunnel wind velocities between 10 and 15 m/s; this indicates that the oscillations of the linear array of vortex generators compensate for the vibrations experienced by the prototype due to contact with the wind. The use of these generators can be used in vibration compensation or anti-resonant systems in structures or applications that interact with moving fluids; the compensations or vibrations were measured in a range close to 1 g and with maximum fluctuations ±0.04.
As future work, a frequency analysis of the measured accelerations will allow the generation of a frequency compensator control system that compensates structural vibrations by adjusting the velocity and oscillation angle of the linear array of active vortex generators, which can generate improvements in wind turbines and similar aerial applications.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, H.D.C.; Investigation, H.G.P. and E.E.G.; Supervision, W.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

Minciencias Contrato de Recuperación Contingente 80740-023-021.

Data Availability Statement

Simulation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzyU2OLCUQE.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Nomenclature

AAngle of attack of the airfoil
ΘAngle of inclination of vortex generators
dBDecibels
FFTFast Fourier Transform
foscFrequency of oscillation
HzHertz
HAWTHorizontal Axis Wind Turbine
VwindTunnel wind velocity
VG’sVortex generators

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Figure 1. Methodology.
Figure 1. Methodology.
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Figure 2. Vortex generators array in wind turbine blades [28].
Figure 2. Vortex generators array in wind turbine blades [28].
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Figure 3. Scanning process.
Figure 3. Scanning process.
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Figure 4. (a) Vortex generators in blade prototype (mm), (b) Experimental setup.
Figure 4. (a) Vortex generators in blade prototype (mm), (b) Experimental setup.
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Figure 5. Blade Prototype with housing measuring circuit.
Figure 5. Blade Prototype with housing measuring circuit.
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Figure 6. Anemometer Rev-p and 3D Accelerometer MMA7361.
Figure 6. Anemometer Rev-p and 3D Accelerometer MMA7361.
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Figure 7. Prototype in wind tunnel.
Figure 7. Prototype in wind tunnel.
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Figure 8. Video captures of Prototype in wind tunnel with α = 0°.
Figure 8. Video captures of Prototype in wind tunnel with α = 0°.
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Figure 9. Wind sensor velocity. (a) blade without VG’s; (b) blade with oscillating VG’s.
Figure 9. Wind sensor velocity. (a) blade without VG’s; (b) blade with oscillating VG’s.
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Figure 10. Vortex generator’s angular position and Wind sensor velocity.
Figure 10. Vortex generator’s angular position and Wind sensor velocity.
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Figure 11. Acceleration in 3D directions without average value: (a) blade without VG’s, (b) blade with oscillating VG’s.
Figure 11. Acceleration in 3D directions without average value: (a) blade without VG’s, (b) blade with oscillating VG’s.
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Figure 12. Magnitude and Phase spectrums.
Figure 12. Magnitude and Phase spectrums.
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Parra, H.G.; Ceron, H.D.; Gomez, W.; Gaona, E.E. Experimental Analysis of Oscillatory Vortex Generators in Wind Turbine Blade. Energies 2023, 16, 4343. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114343

AMA Style

Parra HG, Ceron HD, Gomez W, Gaona EE. Experimental Analysis of Oscillatory Vortex Generators in Wind Turbine Blade. Energies. 2023; 16(11):4343. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114343

Chicago/Turabian Style

Parra, Hector G., Hernan D. Ceron, William Gomez, and Elvis E. Gaona. 2023. "Experimental Analysis of Oscillatory Vortex Generators in Wind Turbine Blade" Energies 16, no. 11: 4343. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114343

APA Style

Parra, H. G., Ceron, H. D., Gomez, W., & Gaona, E. E. (2023). Experimental Analysis of Oscillatory Vortex Generators in Wind Turbine Blade. Energies, 16(11), 4343. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114343

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