A comparative numerical study of four turbulence models for the prediction of horizontal axis wind turbine flow

作者：Tachos N S^*; Filios A E; Margaris D P

来源：Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers - Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science , 2010, 224(C9): 1973-1979.

DOI：10.1243/09544062JMES1901

• wind turbine
• aerodynamic modelling
• turbulence models
• computational fluid dynamics

The analysis of the near and far flow fields of an experimental National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) rotor, which has been used as the reference rotor for the Viscous and Aeroelastic Effects on Wind Turbine Blades (VISCEL) research program of the European Union, is described. The horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) flow is obtained by solving the steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, which are combined with one of four turbulence models (Spalart-Allmaras, k-epsilon, k-epsilon renormalization group, and k-omega shear stress transport (SST)) aiming at validation of these models through a comparison of the predictions and the free field experimental measurements for the selected rotor. The computational domain is composed of 4.2 x 10(6) cells merged in a structured way, taking care of refinement of the grid near the rotor blade in order to enclose the boundary layer approach. The constant wind condition 7.2 m/s, which is the velocity of the selected experimental data, is considered in all calculations, and only the turbulence model is altered. It is confirmed that it is possible to analyse a HAWT rotor flow field with the RANS equations and that there is good agreement with experimental results, especially when they are combined with the k-omega SST turbulence model.

• 出版日期2010