Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Wind Turbine Blades with Different Attack Angles

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nandha Engineering College, Perundurai 638 052, Tamilnadu, India

^* Corresponding author: balakrishnankvp@gmail.com

Abstract

The escalating global demand for energy coupled with escalating environmental concerns has underscored the imperative of efficacious energy conversion from renewable reservoirs. Among these, wind energy has ascended as a pragmatic and ecologically conscientious solution. Its ascent, outpacing conventional fuels such as coal, underscores the necessity to comprehend its performance intricately. This study zeroes in on an airfoil model, subjecting it to a dual scrutiny encompassing empirical investigation and computational simulation. Employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses executed in ANSYS software, the study prognosticates pressure and velocity patterns for the 2D iteration of the Model 1 airfoil by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). This exhaustive scrutiny spans across velocities of 10 m/s and diverse angles of attack (-5°, 2°, and 8°). Remarkably, a robust 90% correlation manifests between the outcomes of empirical experimentation and computational simulation. Within the aerodynamic schema of the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT), the 8° angle of attack emerges as the vanguard, distinctly illustrating the pinnacle of optimal pressure distribution and velocity gradient. Noteworthy is the consistent augment in airfoil performance as the blade angle escalates, substantiated by elevated apex velocities and pressures in juxtaposition to the -5° and 2° angles. The findings of this inquiry engender a significant stride in airfoil refinement for the optimization of wind turbine blades, thereby conferring invaluable insights in the realms of blade design, aerodynamic contemplations, and the augmentation of wind turbine performance.