Optimization of Flatback Airfoils for Wind Turbine Blades Using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Chen ◽  
Ramesh Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Artificial Neural Network Ann ◽  
Drag Ratio ◽  
Lift To Drag Ratio ◽  
Single Objective

In recent years, the airfoil sections with blunt trailing edge (called flatback airfoils) have been proposed for the inboard regions of large wind-turbine blades because they provide several structural and aerodynamic performance advantages. In a previous paper, ASME ES2010-90373, we employed a single objective genetic algorithm (GA) for shape optimization of flatback airfoils for generating maximum lift to drag ratio. The computational efficiency of GA was significantly enhanced with an artificial neural network (ANN). The commercially available software FLUENT was employed for calculation of the flow field using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in conjunction with a turbulence model. In this paper, we employ a multi-objective GA to optimize the flatback airfoils to achieve two objectives, namely the generation of maximum lift as well as the maximum lift to drag ratio. It is shown that the multi-objective GA optimization can generate superior flatback airfoils compared to those obtained by using single objective GA algorithm.

Optimization of Flatback Airfoils for Wind Turbine Blades

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Chen ◽  
Ramesh Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Blunt Trailing Edge ◽  
Artificial Neural Network Ann ◽  
Drag Ratio ◽  
Large Wind ◽  
Lift To Drag Ratio

In recent years, the airfoil sections with blunt trailing edge (called flatback airfoils) have been proposed for the inboard regions of large wind-turbine blades because they provide several structural and aerodynamic performance advantages. In this paper, we employ a genetic algorithm (GA) for shape optimization of flatback airfoils for generating maximum lift to drag ratio. The computational efficiency of GA is significantly enhanced with an artificial neural network (ANN). The commercially available software FLUENT is used for calculation of the flow field using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in conjunction with a turbulence model. It is shown that the combined GA/ANN optimization technique is capable of accurately and efficiently finding globally optimal flatback airfoils.

scholarly journals Shape Optimization of NREL S809 Airfoil for Wind Turbine Blades Using a Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilei He ◽  
Ramesh K. Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Drag Ratio ◽  
Lift To Drag Ratio

The goal of this paper is to employ a multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) to optimize the shape of a well-known wind turbine airfoil S809 to improve its lift and drag characteristics, in particular to achieve two objectives, that is, to increase its lift and its lift to drag ratio. The commercially available software FLUENT is employed to calculate the flow field on an adaptive structured mesh using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in conjunction with a two-equationk-ωSST turbulence model. The results show significant improvement in both lift coefficient and lift to drag ratio of the optimized airfoil compared to the original S809 airfoil. In addition, MOGA results are in close agreement with those obtained by the adjoint-based optimization technique.

scholarly journals Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of NREL S809 Airfoil for Wind Turbine Blades Using Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes Model—Part II

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2211
Author(s):  
Md Tausif Akram ◽  
Man-Hoe Kim
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Shape Transformation ◽  
Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes ◽  
Drag Ratio ◽  
Lift To Drag Ratio

Sustainability has become one of the most significant considerations in everyday work, including energy production. The fast-growing trend of wind energy around the world has increased the demand for efficient and optimized airfoils, which has paved the way for energy harvesting systems. The present manuscript proposes an aerodynamically optimized design of the well-known existing NREL S809 airfoil for performance enhancement of the blade design for wind turbines. An integrated code, based on a genetic algorithm, is developed to optimize the asymmetric NREL S809 airfoil by class shape transformation (CST) and the parametric section (PARSEC) parameterization method, analyzing its aerodynamic properties and maximizing the lift of the airfoil. The in-house MATLAB code is further incorporated with XFOIL to calculate the coefficient of lift, coefficient of drag and lift-to-drag ratio at angles of attack of 0° and 6.2° by the panel technique and validated with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) experimental results provided by The Ohio State University (OSU). On the other hand, steady-state CFD analysis is performed on an optimized S809 airfoil using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equation with the K–ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulent model and compared with the experimental data. The present method shows that the optimized airfoil by CST is predicted, with an increment of 11.8% and 9.6% for the lift coefficient and lift-to-drag ratio, respectively, and desirable stability parameters obtained for the design of the wind turbine blades. These characteristics significantly improve the overall aerodynamic performance of new optimized airfoils. Finally, the aerodynamically improved results are reported for the design of the NREL Phase II, Phase III and Phase VI HAWT blades.

scholarly journals 3D Multidisciplinary Automated Design Optimization Toolbox for Wind Turbine Blades

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 581
Author(s):  
Sagi Sagimbayev ◽  
Yestay Kylyshbek ◽  
Sagidolla Batay ◽  
Yong Zhao ◽  
Sai Fok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Parametric Modeling ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes ◽  
Automated Optimization ◽  
Drag Ratio

This paper presents two novel automated optimization approaches. The first one proposes a framework to optimize wind turbine blades by integrating multidisciplinary 3D parametric modeling, a physics-based optimization scheme, the Inverse Blade Element Momentum (IBEM) method, and 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation; the second method introduces a framework combining 3D parametric modeling and an integrated goal-driven optimization together with a 4D Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) solver. In the first approach, the optimization toolbox operates concurrently with the other software packages through scripts. The automated optimization process modifies the parametric model of the blade by decreasing the twist angle and increasing the local angle of attack (AoA) across the blade at locations with lower than maximum 3D lift/drag ratio until a maximum mean lift/drag ratio for the whole blade is found. This process exploits the 3D stall delay, which is often ignored in the regular 2D BEM approach. The second approach focuses on the shape optimization of individual cross-sections where the shape near the trailing edge is adjusted to achieve high power output, using a goal-driven optimization toolbox verified by 4D URANS Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation for the whole rotor. The results obtained from the case study indicate that (1) the 4D URANS whole rotor simulation in the second approach generates more accurate results than the 3D RANS single blade simulation with periodic boundary conditions; (2) the second approach of the framework can automatically produce the blade geometry that satisfies the optimization objective, while the first approach is less desirable as the 3D stall delay is not prominent enough to be fruitfully exploited for this particular case study.

scholarly journals Experimental study of the effect of a slat on the aerodynamic performance of a thick base airfoil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axelle Viré ◽  
Bruce LeBlanc ◽  
Julia Steiner ◽  
Nando Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Vortex Generators ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Thick Airfoil ◽  
Drag Ratio ◽  
Lift To Drag Ratio

Abstract. There is continuous effort to try and improve the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine blades. This experimental study focusses on the addition of a passive slat on a thick airfoil typically used in the inboard part of commercial wind turbine blades. Nine different slat configurations are considered, with both a clean and tripped main airfoil. The results are compared with the performances of the airfoil without slat, as well as the airfoil equipped with vortex generators. It is found that, when the airfoil is clean, the increase in lift-to-drag ratio due to the presence of a slat is larger than when vortex generators are used. This is also true for the tripped airfoil, but only at small angles of attack. As expected, in all configurations, the presence of the slat delays flow separation and stall. Finally, for a clean airfoil and small angles of attack, the slat decreases the lift-to-drag ratio of the main airfoil only. By contrast, as the angle of attack increases, it seems that the slat changes the flow field around the main airfoil in such a way that its lift-to-drag ratio becomes larger than for the airfoil without slat. These effects are less pronounced when the airfoil is tripped. This work helps to better understand the role of slat in improving the aerodynamics of blade sections. It can also be used to validate simulation tools in the field.

Analysis of Blunt Trailing Edge Airfoils

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Standish ◽  
C. P. van Dam
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Blunt Trailing Edge ◽  
Large Wind ◽  
Structural Volume

The adoption of blunt trailing edge airfoils for the inner regions of large wind turbine blades has been proposed. Blunt trailing edge airfoils would not only provide increased structural volume, but have also been found to improve the lift characteristics of airfoils and therefore allow for section shapes with a greater maximum thickness. Limited experimental data makes it difficult for wind turbine designers to consider and conduct tradeoff studies using these section shapes. This lack of experimental data precipitated the present analysis of blunt trailing edge airfoils using computational fluid dynamics. Several computational techniques are applied including a viscous/inviscid interaction method and several Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes methods.

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