Investigations of HAWT Airfoil Shape Characteristics and 3D Rotational Augmentation Sensitivity Toward the Aerodynamic Performance Improvement

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of dierent airfoil shapes on the 3D augmentationand power production of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). The aerodynamic eect fromchanging the leading and trailing edge of the airfoil is the emphasis of the research. Varied powerproduced from modifying sensitivity on 3D augmentations, caused by revamping airfoil shapes, areshown. The 3D correction law, considering the chord to radius ratio and the blades’ pitch angle inthe rotation, is applied to the airfoil lift coecients. The blade element method (BEM) embeddedin the software Qblade with modified lift coecients simulates the power productions of threewind turbines from these airfoils. The comparisons of the boundary layer characteristics, sectionalforces, and inflow angle of the blade sections are calculated. The k-omega SST turbulence model inOpenFoam visualizes the stall and separation of the blades’ 2D section. The airfoils with a roundedleading edge show a reduced stall and separated flow region. The power production is 2.3 timeshigher for the airfoil constructed with a more rounded leading edge S809r and two times higher forthe airfoil S809gx of the symmetric structure.