Investigation Of Aerodynamic Performance Characteristics Of A Wind-Turbine-Blade Profile Using The Finite-Volume Method

Abstract

Two-dimensional incompressibleflow around a NACA 63e415 airfoil, which is encountered in engi-neering applications as a typical wind-turbine-blade profile, is investigated computationally. Aero-dynamic loads and theflow mechanism over this particular blade profile are examined in detail todetermine the optimum angle of attack. Simulations are performed in the range of the typical operatingconditions encountered for commercial-scale wind turbines with Reynolds numbers 105 Re 3 106and for angles of attack 0+ a 20+. The turbulentflow was modelled by means of the Spalart-Allmarasand the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) k-uturbulence models to provide a direct comparison between dataobtained with different models. The results obtained are compared to numerical and experimental dataavailable in literature for validation. The aerodynamic performance analysis reveals that the optimumangle of attack for this blade profile isa¼6+forRe 106anda¼7+forRe 1:6 106