Open Access

ARTICLE

Research on Leading Edge Erosion and Aerodynamic Characteristics of Wind Turbine Blade Airfoil

Xin Guan^*, Yuqi Xie, Shuaijie Wang, Mingyang Li, Shiwei Wu

School of New Energy, Shenyang Institute of Engineering, Shenyang, 110136, China

* Corresponding Author: Xin Guan. Email:

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2024, 20(9), 2045-2058. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2024.049671

Received 14 January 2024; Accepted 28 May 2024; Issue published 23 August 2024

Abstract

The effects of the erosion present on the leading edge of a wind turbine airfoil (DU 96-W-180) on its aerodynamic performances have been investigated numerically in the framework of a SST k–ω turbulence model based on the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS). The results indicate that when sand-induced holes and small pits are involved as leading edge wear features, they have a minimal influence on the lift and drag coefficients of the airfoil. However, if delamination occurs in the same airfoil region, it significantly impacts the lift and resistance characteristics of the airfoil. Specifically, as the angle of attack grows, there is a significant decrease in the lift coefficient accompanied by a sharp increase in the drag coefficient. As wear intensifies, these effects gradually increase. Moreover, the leading edge wear can exacerbate flow separation near the trailing edge suction surface of the airfoil and cause forward displacement of the separation point.

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Keywords

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