CFD를 활용한 MW급 풍력발전기 블레이드 와류 발생기 형상 최적화 및 공력 특성 분석

Abstract

The aerodynamic characteristics of a vortex generator (VG) on a multi-MW wind turbine blade was investigated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). VGs are essentially small fins that are installed toward the root of the wind turbine blade to reduce airflow separation. Separation flow on the wind turbine blade suction surface was captured by a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) steady flow simulation using a general-purpose code, ANSYS CFX. The numerical analysis methodology was verified by comparing the blade aerodynamic analysis results through CFD with blade element momentum theory (BEMT)-based program GH-Bladed results. An aerodynamic sensitivity study of the VG according to the design parameters of the VG was performed. Optimization was carried out by targeting parameters with low eddy current dissipation rates. According to the simulation, the VG reduces separation in the wind turbine blade root region. Furthermore, it was found that the aerodynamic coefficient of the wind turbine with VG installation increases up to 2.80% at the rated power.