Computational and experimental investigation of the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of a small wind turbine with quasi-3D optimization

Abstract Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of a small horizontal axis wind turbine are investigated experimentally and computationally. The purpose has been to develop a procedure to predict and optimize the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance of such turbines. Aeroacoustic measurements are performed by an acoustic camera, while monitoring the plant’s power output. In the computational analysis, an unsteady, 3D analysis is applied, modelling the turbulence by the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES), and the aeroacoustics by the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) approach. In the first part of the study, the original turbine blade is analyzed. A satisfactory agreement between the predictions and measurements is observed for the power conversion efficiency and the emitted sound. In the second part, the aerodynamics of the blade is optimized computationally, in the sense of a Quasi-3D approach, by a previously developed automated procedure. In this part, where a large number of 2D blade profiles are analyzed and optimized, a Reynolds Averaged Numerical Simulation approach is adopted for turbulence. In the third part, it is computationally verified (IDDES, FW-H) that the 3D blade, re-constructed based on the Quasi-3D optimization, exhibits a higher efficiency and lower sound emission. It is shown that the latter holds not only for the overall sound pressure, but also for the criteria pertaining to human perception of sound. Application of high-resolution methods with verification by on-site measurements, demonstration of the proposed Quasi-3D optimization procedure to lead to improved aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance are innovative aspects of the present investigation. The presented, validated procedure can be applied to predict and improve the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance of small horizontal axis wind turbines.

[1]  Choon-Man Jang,et al.  Effects of instantaneous tangential velocity on the aerodynamic performance of an H-Darrieus wind turbine , 2018, Energy Conversion and Management.

[2]  Ali Cemal Benim,et al.  URANS and LES analysis of turbulent swirling flows , 2005 .

[3]  David Wood,et al.  Small Wind Turbines , 2021, Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences.

[4]  Rakesh C. Ramachandran,et al.  A review of wind turbine noise measurements and regulations , 2016 .

[5]  Ali Cemal Benim,et al.  Aerodynamic Optimization of Airfoil Profiles for Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines , 2018, Comput..

[6]  Rafic Younes,et al.  Review of performance optimization techniques applied to wind turbines , 2015 .

[7]  F. Menter.  Two-equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models for engineering applications , 1994 .

[8]  Muhammad S. Virk,et al.  Aeroacoustics response of wind turbine blade profiles in normal and icing conditions , 2018 .

[9]  M. Cagan,et al.  Computational investigation of turbulent jet impinging onto rotating disk , 2007 .

[10]  Lei Zhang,et al.  Overall design optimization of dedicated outboard airfoils for horizontal axis wind turbine blades , 2018 .

[11]  Fausto Arpino,et al.  Numerical performance assessment of an innovative Darrieus-style vertical axis wind turbine with auxiliary straight blades , 2018, Energy Conversion and Management.

[12]  Artur Lichtenberg,et al.  Pulsatile extracorporeal circulation during on-pump cardiac surgery enhances aortic wall shear stress. , 2012, Journal of biomechanics.

[13]  I. Hashem,et al.  Aero-acoustics noise assessment for Wind-Lens turbine , 2017 .

[14]  Robin Wilson,et al.  Noise levels and noise perception from small and micro wind turbines , 2013 .

[15]  Jie Zhu,et al.  Aerodynamic and Structural Integrated Optimization Design of Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blades , 2016 .

[16]  Jang-Oh Mo,et al.  Numerical simulation for prediction of aerodynamic noise characteristics on a HAWT of NREL phase VI , 2011 .

[17]  Y P Ju,et al.  Multi-point robust design optimization of wind turbine airfoil under geometric uncertainty , 2012 .

[18]  Wen Zhong Shen,et al.  Aeroacoustic calculations of a full scale Nordtank 500kW wind turbine , 2016 .

[19]  Ali Cemal Benim,et al.  Computational analysis of transient heat transfer in turbulent pipe flow , 2004 .

[20]  Pramod Jain,et al.  Wind Energy Engineering , 2010 .

[21]  David M. Howard,et al.  Acoustics and Psychoacoustics , 2006 .

[22]  M. Zangeneh,et al.  Numerical prediction of wind turbine noise , 2011 .

[23]  Franz Joos,et al.  Experimental and numerical investigation of isothermal flow in an idealized swirl combustor , 2010 .

[24]  Masoud Ghasemian,et al.  Aero-acoustics prediction of a vertical axis wind turbine using Large Eddy Simulation and acoustic analogy , 2015 .

[25]  Ali Cemal Benim,et al.  Numerical study on the effect of inner tube fouling on the thermal performance of high-temperature fin-and-tube heat exchanger , 2015 .

[26]  M. H. Mohamed.  Aero-acoustics noise evaluation of H-rotor Darrieus wind turbines , 2014 .

[27]  Herbert Martins Gomes,et al.  An airfoil optimization technique for wind turbines , 2012 .

[28]  Ali Cemal Benim,et al.  Computational analysis of turbulent forced convection in a channel with a triangular prism , 2011 .

[29]  D. L. Hawkings,et al.  Sound generation by turbulence and surfaces in arbitrary motion , 1969, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[30]  Xiaomin Chen,et al.  Optimization of Flatback Airfoils for Wind Turbine Blades Using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm , 2010 .

[31]  Frederik Zahle,et al.  Aeroelastic multidisciplinary design optimization of a swept wind turbine blade , 2017 .

[32]  M. S. Gritskevich,et al.  Development of DDES and IDDES Formulations for the k-ω Shear Stress Transport Model , 2012 .