Investigation of meshing strategies and turbulence models of computational fluid dynamics simulations of vertical axis wind turbines

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 033111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenguang Song ◽  
Yuan Zheng ◽  
Zhenzhou Zhao ◽  
Yuquan Zhang ◽  
Chong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

scholarly journals Design Mining Interacting Wind Turbines

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Preen ◽  
Larry Bull
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
3D Printer ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Training Samples ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Model Training ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

An initial study has recently been presented of surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms used to design vertical-axis wind turbines wherein candidate prototypes are evaluated under fan-generated wind conditions after being physically instantiated by a 3D printer. Unlike other approaches, such as computational fluid dynamics simulations, no mathematical formulations were used and no model assumptions were made. This paper extends that work by exploring alternative surrogate modelling and evolutionary techniques. The accuracy of various modelling algorithms used to estimate the fitness of evaluated individuals from the initial experiments is compared. The effect of temporally windowing surrogate model training samples is explored. A surrogate-assisted approach based on an enhanced local search is introduced; and alternative coevolution collaboration schemes are examined.

Detailed Analysis of the Wake Structure of a Straight-Blade H-Darrieus Wind Turbine by Means of Wind Tunnel Experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Bianchini ◽  
Francesco Balduzzi ◽  
Giovanni Ferrara ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrari ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Experimental Data ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Performance Estimation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Darrieus vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have been recently identified as the most promising solution for new types of applications, such as small-scale installations in complex terrains or offshore large floating platforms. To improve their efficiencies further and make them competitive with those of conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, a more in depth understanding of the physical phenomena that govern the aerodynamics past a rotating Darrieus turbine is needed. Within this context, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can play a fundamental role, since it represents the only model able to provide a detailed and comprehensive representation of the flow. Due to the complexity of similar simulations, however, the possibility of having reliable and detailed experimental data to be used as validation test cases is pivotal to tune the numerical tools. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (U-RANS) computational model was applied to analyze the wake characteristics on the midplane of a small-size H-shaped Darrieus VAWT. The turbine was tested in a large-scale, open-jet wind tunnel, including both performance and wake measurements. Thanks to the availability of such a unique set of experimental data, systematic comparisons between simulations and experiments were carried out for analyzing the structure of the wake and correlating the main macrostructures of the flow to the local aerodynamic features of the airfoils in cycloidal motion. In general, good agreement on the turbine performance estimation was constantly appreciated.

Investigation of Self-Starting Capability of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Using a Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandrina Untaroiu ◽  
Houston G. Wood ◽  
Paul E. Allaire ◽  
Robert J. Ribando
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Mesh Deformation ◽  
Operating Speed ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbine Performance

Vertical axis wind turbines have always been a controversial technology; claims regarding their benefits and drawbacks have been debated since the initial patent in 1931. Despite this contention, very little systematic vertical axis wind turbine research has been accomplished. Experimental assessments remain prohibitively expensive, while analytical analyses are limited by the complexity of the system. Numerical methods can address both concerns, but inadequate computing power hampered this field. Instead, approximating models were developed which provided some basis for study; but all these exhibited high error margins when compared with actual turbine performance data and were only useful in some operating regimes. Modern computers are capable of more accurate computational fluid dynamics analysis, but most research has focused on horizontal axis configurations or modeling of single blades rather than full geometries. In order to address this research gap, a systematic review of vertical axis wind-power turbine (VAWT) was undertaken, starting with establishment of a methodology for vertical axis wind turbine simulation that is presented in this paper. Replicating the experimental prototype, both 2D and 3D models of a three-bladed vertical axis wind turbine were generated. Full transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using mesh deformation capability available in ansys-CFX were run from turbine start-up to operating speed and compared with the experimental data in order to validate the technique. A circular inner domain, containing the blades and the rotor, was allowed to undergo mesh deformation with a rotational velocity that varied with torque generated by the incoming wind. Results have demonstrated that a transient CFD simulation using a two-dimensional computational model can accurately predict vertical axis wind turbine operating speed within 12% error, with the caveat that intermediate turbine performance is not accurately captured.

Scaled Room Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven P. O’Halloran ◽  
Mohammad H. Hosni ◽  
B. Terry Beck ◽  
Thomas P. Gielda
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Reynolds Stress Model ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to predict three-dimensional flow within a one-tenth-scale room. The dimensions of the scaled room were 732 × 488 × 274 mm (28.8 × 19.2 × 10.8 in.) and symmetry was utilized so that only half of the room was modeled. Corresponding measurements were made under isothermal conditions and water was used as the working fluid instead of air. The commercially available software Fluent was used to perform the simulations. Two turbulence models were used: the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε model and the Reynolds-stress model. The CFD setup is presented in this paper, along with the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy results. The simulation results are compared to previously obtained three-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements made within the same scaled room under similar conditions.

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