Study on Unsteady Flow Field Structure and Tip Vortex Evolution of Contra-rotating Wind Turbine

  • M. H. Kang
  • , X. Zhao
  • , M. W. Ge
  • , Y. F. Bi
  • , H. Y. Li

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

To investigate the pulsatile flow field structure and tip-vortex evolution of a contra-rotating wind turbine (CRWT), three-dimensional unsteady flow simulation was carried out with auxiliary wind tunnel test. The model is based on the dynamic patched-gird and sliding grid technologies to solve the unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations. Meanwhile, a steady CRWT flow field simulation with S-A turbulent model was carried out to solve URANS equations to serve as a comparison. The turbine powers predicted by both models were validated with experiment data and the local velocity distributions on meridian plane near blade tip were compared with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) results. The results show that the unsteady simulation is accurate for power prediction, and the relative error is less than 5.68%. The tip vortex distribution law obtained by CFD is consistent with the captured results of the PIV experiment, which proves the accuracy of the CFD simulation, and the evolution of the vortex structure between the blades of the CRWT is obtained. Finally, by comparing the flow field structure of SRWT and CRWT, the structural characteristics of the contra-rotating flow field are further analyzed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624106118
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
EventAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 9 Aug 202111 Aug 2021

Publication series

NameAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period9/08/2111/08/21

Keywords

  • Aerodynamic interference
  • Contra-rotating wind turbine
  • Numerical simulation
  • Unsteady flow
  • Vortex structure

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