Control of Separation Flow over a Wind Turbine Blade with Plasma Actuators

Potočar, Erik; Širok, B.; Hočevar, Marko; Eberlinc, Matjaž

doi:10.5545/sv-jme.2011.016

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the new rotor dimensions prevent from achieving a fully attached flow over the entire blade span without the implementation of additional flow control devices. Diverse flow control devices have been proposed for wind turbine applications, such as trailing/leading edge flaps, plasma actuators, turbercled leading edge, or vortex generators (VGs) …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of rod vortex generators for flow separation reduction on wind turbine rotor

2018

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This paper focuses on flow control on wind turbine blades. A rod vortex generator (RVG) is proposed. Previous experimental and numerical results obtained for channels and blade sections proved RVGs to effectively enhance the streamwise shear stresses and reduce flow separation. The benefits of application of RVGs to control and decrease the flow separation on horizontal axis wind turbine rotor blades are assessed and presented in the paper. The numerical investigation was conducted with the FINE/Turbo solver from Numeca International, which solves the 3D Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes equations. The validation of the numerical model for the clean case is based on phase VI of the Unsteady Aerodynamics Experiment. At selected operating conditions, flow control devices have proven to reattach the flow locally to the wall and improve the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine. Additionally, the local implementation of RVGs shows strong effect on flow structure and interaction with the main flow to create a "shielding" effect, preventing further penetration of separation towards blade tip. As a consequence, the positive effect of RVGs exists outside the blade span covered by devices. The obtained aerodynamic improvement shows that RVGs may be used as an alternative to traditional flow control devices applied on wind energy turbines. KEYWORDS flow control, flow separation, NREL phase VI, vortex generator, wind energy 1 | INTRODUCTIONSince the industrial revolution, the world demand for energy has grown at a much faster rate than in all previous human history. As a consequence, man's dependency on fossil fuels and green house gasses emissions has risen ever since. In this context, wind energy is seen as one of the most promising solutions to man's ever-increasing demands of a clean source of energy. 1 The main drawback of wind energy compared with nonrenewable energy sources is the cost of energy (COE). The COE may be reduced by increasing the annual energy production (AEP) or decreasing the operation and maintenance cost. This increase of AEP may be achieved through higher availability of the system, thereby reducing the downtime.Nevertheless, the average availability of the onshore horizontal axis wind turbines ranges from 96% to 99%, which indicates slight scope for improvement. 2 The AEP may be also enhanced by increasing wind turbine and rotor sizes. A larger turbine can capture more energy through its lifetime, decreasing the relative COE per megawatt. The last decades development in the material science, control, and aerodynamics have allowed this growth of wind turbines sizes and a continuous reduction in COE. 3 At the end of 1989, a 300-kW wind turbine with 30-m rotor diameter was state of the art; nowadays, turbines with rotor diameters of up to 160 m (Vestas V164-8MW or V164-9.5MW) have been developed, and the current trend of increasing sizes is expected to continue in the future. 4,5 Presence of flow separation on wind turbine blades leads to increased aerodynamic losses, noise generation, and fatigue ...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of rod vortex generators for flow separation reduction on wind turbine rotor

2018

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“…For example, Teng et al [2] used empirical mode decomposition on the pitting fault detection of a wind turbine gearbox. Potočar et al [3] used plasma actuators to control separation flow over a wind turbine blade. However, there are limited studies on wind turbines under seismic impact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind Turbine Seismic Load Analysis Based on Numerical Calculation

Jin¹,

Hua²,

Ju³

2014

SV-JME

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Large-scale wind turbines have come into common use in Europe. Because violent earthquakes are relatively rare there, insufficient consideration has been given to the seismic impact on the wind turbine specifications; however, at present, there are many wind farms being constructed in earthquake-prone regions, and the seismic impact cannot be ignored in wind turbine designs. Based on the multi-body system dynamic theory and taking into consideration the soil-structure interaction, this paper proposes a blade-cabin-tower-foundation coupled model in order to study the load-bearing conditions of wind turbines under seismic impact. According to the basic theory of multi-body system dynamics, the wind turbine blade and tower system comprises a series of continuous discrete units, while soil-structure interaction in the tower system is realized through the spring and damping set on the interface between the foundation and the soil body; the cabin is simplified as a rigid model. Based on the Eurocode 8 earthquake load spectrum, the dynamic response of a wind turbine working under seismic impact is analysed, and the seismic load is compared. Results of the study can serve as references for designing key parts and control strategies of wind turbines for earthquake-prone regions.

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Aerodynamic and energy‐efficiency‐based assessment of plasma actuator's position on a NACA0015 airfoil

Akbıyık

Yavuz

Akansu

2019

Contributions to Plasma Physics

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In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of research papers on plasma and its use in active flow control applications. The main objective of this study is to assess the plasma actuator's position on a NACA0015 airfoil in terms of aerodynamic forces. In addition, optimization of the plasma actuator's position and its configuration are studied in order to identify the optimum configuration for improvement in lift coefficient. The experiments are conducted in an open-suction-type wind tunnel at Reynolds numbers of 48,000, 75,000, and 100,000. The plasma actuators are mounted on various positions (x/C) starting from the leading edge to trailing edge of the airfoil. The experimental results on aerodynamic force measurement are presented to illustrate the increasing lift effect of the generated plasma. It is also shown that the plasma actuators used as an active flow control device appears to shift the stall angle of the airfoil. The results of the experimental study suggest that the energy efficiency of airborne systems can be improved with the use of plasma actuators due to its increasing lift coefficient effect. This result becomes a vital finding considering that the same flight can be achieved with less fuel and less amount of environmental pollution for the same distance of journey. It is also worth mentioning that increasing lift effect would mean taking off from a shorter runway or allowing the airborne vehicle with the ability to fly with additional payload. K E Y W O R D Sairfoil, energy efficiency, lift coefficient, plasma actuator, stall angle

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Control of Separation Flow over a Wind Turbine Blade with Plasma Actuators

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

Application of rod vortex generators for flow separation reduction on wind turbine rotor

Application of rod vortex generators for flow separation reduction on wind turbine rotor

Wind Turbine Seismic Load Analysis Based on Numerical Calculation

Aerodynamic and energy‐efficiency‐based assessment of plasma actuator's position on a NACA0015 airfoil

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