CFD Simulation of the NREL Phase VI Rotor

The simulation of the turbulent and potentially separating flow around a rotating, twisted, and tapered airfoil is a challenging task for CFD simulations. This paper describes CFD simulations of the NREL Phase VI turbine that was experimentally characterized in the 24.4 m × 36.6 m NREL/NASA Ames win...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Wind engineering 2015-06, Vol.39 (3), p.299-309
Main Authors: Song, Y., Perot, J. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airfoils
Computational fluid dynamics
Computer simulation
Flow characteristics
Mathematical models
Pitch angle
Wind tunnels
Wind turbines
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Summary:The simulation of the turbulent and potentially separating flow around a rotating, twisted, and tapered airfoil is a challenging task for CFD simulations. This paper describes CFD simulations of the NREL Phase VI turbine that was experimentally characterized in the 24.4 m × 36.6 m NREL/NASA Ames wind tunnel. All computations in this article are performed on the experimental base configuration of 0º yaw angle, 3º tip pitch angle, and a rotation rate of 72 rpm. The significance of specific mesh resolution regions to the accuracy of the CFD prediction is discussed. The ability of CFD to capture bulk quantities, such as the shaft torque, and the detailed flow characteristics, such as the surface pressure distributions, are explored for different inlet wind speeds. Finally, the significant three-dimensionality of the boundary layer flow is demonstrated.
ISSN:0309-524X
2048-402X
DOI:10.1260/0309-524X.39.3.299