Blade-Wake Interaction Noise for Turbines With Downwind Rotors

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. McNerney ◽  
C. P. van Dam ◽  
D. T. Yen-Nakafuji
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Circular Cross Section ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Noise Mitigation ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Wake Interaction ◽  
Wake Characteristics

The interaction between the rotor and the tower wake is an important source of noise for wind turbines with downwind rotors. These noise levels may significantly impact the immediate environment. During rotation the rotor blades encounter periodic changes in flow conditions as a result of the tower presence. Typically turbine towers have a circular or modified circular cross section which significantly modifies the flow in the vicinity of the tower. Upstream, the tower causes the flow to decelerate and, hence, causes a rise in pressure. Because of its bluff shape, the flow separates prematurely from the tower and this tends to create a wide, unsteady, vortical wake. The wake characteristics are dependent on the cross-sectional shape of the tower, its surface properties, the Reynolds number (based on tower diameter and wind velocity) of the flow, and the turbulence level of the incoming flow. The wake modifies the dynamic pressure and the local flow incidence angle as seen by the blades and, hence, modifies the aerodynamic loading of the blade during blade passage. The resulting n per revolution fluctuation in the blade loading (where n is the number of blades) is the source of low frequency but potentially high amplitude sound levels. The WTC Proof of Concept 250 kW (POC) wind turbine has been observed by field personnel to produce low frequency emissions at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) site during specific atmospheric conditions. Consequently, WTC is conducting a three-phase program to characterize the low frequency emissions of its two-bladed wind turbines and to develop noise mitigation techniques if needed. This paper summarizes the first phase of this program including recent low-frequency noise measurements conducted on the WTC POC250 kW wind turbine, the wake characteristics of circular towers as they pertain to the blade-wake interaction problem, and techniques to attenuate the sound pressure levels caused by the blade-wake interaction.

Blade-Wake Interaction Noise for Turbines With Downwind Rotors

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. McNerney ◽  
C. P. van Dam ◽  
D. T. Yen-Nakafuji
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Noise Mitigation ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Wake Interaction

The interaction between the rotor and the tower wake is an important source of noise for wind turbines with downwind rotors. The tower wake modifies the dynamic pressure and the local flow incidence angle as seen by the blades and, hence, modifies the aerodynamic loading of the blade during blade passage. The resulting n per revolution fluctuation in the blade loading (where n is the number of blades) is the source of low frequency but potentially high amplitude sound levels. The Wind Turbine Company (WTC) Proof of Concept 250 kW (POC) wind turbine has been observed by field personnel to produce low-frequency emissions at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) site during specific atmospheric conditions. Consequently, WTC is conducting a three-phase program to characterize the low frequency emissions of its two-bladed wind turbines and to develop noise mitigation techniques if needed. This paper summarizes the first phase of this program including recent low-frequency noise measurements conducted on the WTC POC250 kW wind turbine, a review of the wake characteristics of circular towers as they pertain to the blade-wake interaction problem, and techniques to attenuate the sound pressure levels caused by the blade-wake interaction.

scholarly journals A Review of the Potential Impacts of Wind Turbine Noise in the Australian Context

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-197
Author(s):  
John Laurence Davy ◽  
Kym Burgemeister ◽  
David Hillman ◽  
Simon Carlile
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Low Frequency Noise ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Wind Turbine Noise ◽  
Objective Basis

Abstract This manuscript describes a range of technical deliberations undertaken by the authors during their work as members of the Australian Government’s Independent Scientific Committee on Wind Turbines. Central to these deliberations was the requirement upon the committee to improve understanding and monitoring of the potential impacts of sound from wind turbines (including low frequency and infrasound) on health and the environment. The paper examines existing wind turbine sound limits, possible perceptual and physiological effects of wind turbine noise, aspects of the effects of wind turbine sound on sleep health and quality of life, low-frequency noise limits, the concept of annoyance including alternative causes of it and the potential for it to be affected by low-frequency noise, the influence of amplitude modulation and tonality, sound measurement and analysis and management strategies. In so doing it provides an objective basis for harmonisation across Australia of provisions for siting and monitoring of wind turbines, which currently vary from state to state, contributing to contention and potential inequities between Australians, depending on their place of residence.

Development and Validation of a CFD Technique for the Aerodynamic Analysis of HAWT

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gómez-Iradi ◽  
R. Steijl ◽  
G. N. Barakos
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Wind Tunnel Test ◽  
Unsteady Aerodynamics ◽  
Tunnel Wall ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Thrust And Torque

This paper demonstrates the potential of a compressible Navier–Stokes CFD method for the analysis of horizontal axis wind turbines. The method was first validated against experimental data of the NREL/NASA-Ames Phase VI (Hand, et al., 2001, “Unsteady Aerodynamics Experiment Phase, VI: Wind Tunnel Test Configurations and Available Data Campaigns,” NREL, Technical Report No. TP-500-29955) wind-tunnel campaign at 7 m/s, 10 m/s, and 20 m/s freestreams for a nonyawed isolated rotor. Comparisons are shown for the surface pressure distributions at several stations along the blades as well as for the integrated thrust and torque values. In addition, a comparison between measurements and CFD results is shown for the local flow angle at several stations ahead of the wind turbine blades. For attached and moderately stalled flow conditions the thrust and torque predictions are fair, though improvements in the stalled flow regime are necessary to avoid overprediction of torque. Subsequently, the wind-tunnel wall effects on the blade aerodynamics, as well as the blade/tower interaction, were investigated. The selected case corresponded to 7 m/s up-wind wind turbine at 0 deg of yaw angle and a rotational speed of 72 rpm. The obtained results suggest that the present method can cope well with the flows encountered around wind turbines providing useful results for their aerodynamic performance and revealing flow details near and off the blades and tower.

scholarly journals Development of an Improved LMD Method for the Low-Frequency Elements Extraction from Turbine Noise Background

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 805
Author(s):  
Lida Liao ◽  
Bin Huang ◽  
Qi Tan ◽  
Kan Huang ◽  
Mei Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Aerodynamic Noise ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Noise Background

Given the prejudicial environmental effects of fossil-fuel based energy production, renewable energy sources can contribute significantly to the sustainability of human society. As a clean, cost effective and inexhaustible renewable energy source, wind energy harvesting has found a wide application to replace conventional energy productions. However, concerns have been raised over the noise generated by turbine operating, which is helpful in fault diagnose but primarily identified for its adverse effects on the local ecosystems. Therefore, noise monitoring and separation is essential in wind turbine deployment. Recent developments in condition monitoring provide a solution for turbine noise and vibration analysis. However, the major component, aerodynamic noise is often distorted in modulation, which consequently affects the condition monitoring. This study is conducted to explore a novel approach to extract low-frequency elements from the aerodynamic noise background, and to improve the efficiency of online monitoring. A framework built on the spline envelope method and improved local mean decomposition has been developed for low-frequency noise extraction, and a case study with real near-field noises generated by a mountain-located wind turbine was employed to validate the proposed approach. Results indicate successful extractions with high resolution and efficiency. Findings of this research are also expected to further support the fault diagnosis and the improvement in condition monitoring of turbine systems.

scholarly journals The Present and Future Role of Acoustic Metamaterials for Architectural and Urban Noise Mitigations

Acoustics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 590-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Kumar ◽  
Heow Lee
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Acoustic Metamaterials ◽  
Noise Mitigation ◽  
Urban Noise ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Architectural Acoustics

Owing to a steep rise in urban population, there has been a continuous growth in construction of buildings, public or private transport like cars, motorbikes, trains, and planes at a global level. Hence, urban noise has become a major issue affecting the health and quality of human life. In the current environmental scenario, architectural acoustics has been directed towards controlling and manipulating sound waves at a desired level. Structural engineers and designers are moving towards green technologies, which may help improve the overall comfort level of residents. A variety of conventional sound absorbing materials are being used to reduce noise, but attenuation of low-frequency noise still remains a challenge. Recently, acoustic metamaterials that enable low-frequency sound manipulation, mitigation, and control have been widely used for architectural acoustics and traffic noise mitigation. This review article provides an overview of the role of acoustic metamaterials for architectural acoustics and road noise mitigation applications. The current challenges and prominent future directions in the field are also highlighted.

Low frequency noise and infrasound from wind turbines

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert D. O’Neal ◽  
Robert D. Hellweg ◽  
Richard M. Lampeter
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Low Frequency Noise
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document