A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
CFD-FSI MODELLING OF WIND TURBINE BLADE LEADING EDGE EROSION
As the adoption of wind energy continues to grow, the need to resolve its critical technological limitations has become more relevant today than ever before. A particularly vexing problem affecting wind turbines blades (WTB) is that of leading edge erosion (LEE). LEE increases the aerodynamic drag on blades, resulting in reduced performance, annual energy production and blade life. Offshore wind systems are especially affected due to extended exposure to severe weather conditions, larger turbines sizes, faster blade speeds, and limited access for erosion monitoring and maintenance. Our research is focused on the development of numerical models to simulate raindrop-induced erosion on wind turbine blades. Currently, we are developing a computational fluid dynamics model for rain droplet simulations. This model will encompass both single and multiple droplet impacts, exploring variations in impact conditions such as droplet size, velocity, shape, and impact angle. Furthermore, we will develop a computational solid mechanics model to assess solid stresses and deformations produced in the WTB. To achieve a comprehensive understanding, these solid and fluid models will be coupled through a fluid-structure-interaction solver, which will calculate and provide insights into the solid responses elicited by droplet impacts. The overall aim of this study is to establish a numerical framework capable of predicting WTB LEE rates across diverse rainfall scenarios. Through this research, we seek to contribute to the improvement of reliability and robustness of offshore wind energy technology in the face of today's environmental challenges.
CFD-FSI MODELLING OF WIND TURBINE BLADE LEADING EDGE EROSION
As the adoption of wind energy continues to grow, the need to resolve its critical technological limitations has become more relevant today than ever before. A particularly vexing problem affecting wind turbines blades (WTB) is that of leading edge erosion (LEE). LEE increases the aerodynamic drag on blades, resulting in reduced performance, annual energy production and blade life. Offshore wind systems are especially affected due to extended exposure to severe weather conditions, larger turbines sizes, faster blade speeds, and limited access for erosion monitoring and maintenance. Our research is focused on the development of numerical models to simulate raindrop-induced erosion on wind turbine blades. Currently, we are developing a computational fluid dynamics model for rain droplet simulations. This model will encompass both single and multiple droplet impacts, exploring variations in impact conditions such as droplet size, velocity, shape, and impact angle. Furthermore, we will develop a computational solid mechanics model to assess solid stresses and deformations produced in the WTB. To achieve a comprehensive understanding, these solid and fluid models will be coupled through a fluid-structure-interaction solver, which will calculate and provide insights into the solid responses elicited by droplet impacts. The overall aim of this study is to establish a numerical framework capable of predicting WTB LEE rates across diverse rainfall scenarios. Through this research, we seek to contribute to the improvement of reliability and robustness of offshore wind energy technology in the face of today's environmental challenges.
CFD-FSI MODELLING OF WIND TURBINE BLADE LEADING EDGE EROSION
Ramachandran Nambiar, Vinayak (author) / De Waele, Wim (author) / Degroote, Joris (author) / Fauconnier, Dieter (author)
2023-01-01
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Research Symposium (FEARS) 2023
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Technology and Engineering , Erosion , FSI , CFD , OpenFOAM , Wind Turbine
DDC:
690
| American Institute of Physics | 2015