CFD analysis of key factors impacting the aerodynamic performance of the S830 wind turbine airfoil

Abstract

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) reported that in 2021, global wind capacity increased by 93.6 GW (+12%), reaching a total of 837 GW, most of which was contributed by wind turbines. Improving wind turbine performance primarily hinges on advancements in blade technology and airfoil design. This study examines the effect of profile thickness on the aerodynamic performance of the S830 airfoil at a Reynolds number of 25,148, as part of the NREL airfoil's aerodynamic performance research. However, the impacts of additional variables—such as angle of attack, Reynolds number, speed range, and particularly ice accretion—have not been thoroughly investigated. This study utilized a 2D CFD model provided by the commercial software ANSYS Fluent and FENSAP-ICE. The lift-to-drag ratio of the S830 wind turbine airfoil was examined, considering the effects of angle of attack, wind speed, Reynolds number, airfoil thickness, and ice accretion. Additionally, design-related solutions will be suggested. The research indicates that the optimal angle of attack increases the lift-to-drag ratio by approximately 250% compared to a zero angle of attack. An increase in wind speed causes this coefficient to rise nonlinearly within the studied velocity range. The Reynolds number directly influences the optimal angle of attack. According to CFD results, the lift-to-drag ratio can be increased by 50% if the airfoil's thickness is reduced by 20% compared to the original profile. For the ice accretion simulation model, a case test of the NACA 0012 airfoil was conducted to verify the model's parameters. Subsequently, a survey of this phenomenon on the S830 airfoil revealed that the lift coefficient decreased by 5.25% after 90 minutes of ice accretion.