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Wind Blade Analysis Problem Specification
Created using ANSYS 2020 R1
Under Construction
Learning Goals
In this tutorial, you will learn:
- the basics of developing a CFD solution using ANSYS Fluent
- how to apply boundary conditions and understand the governing equations behind your solution
- how to develop a a 3D mesh, solve for the flow field, and plot results
Problem Specification
The MAE 4021 and 5020 project involves developing a CFD simulation of the flow field for a wind turbine rotor using ANSYS Fluent. The CFD simulation will yield the pressure/velocity distribution around the blade and the power coefficient. A sample blade geometry is given to be used in the simulations as an example was developed by one of the groups performing the senior design component of this course in a prior year. A CAD file containing the blade geometry is provided to you on Canvas (see below for download instructions).
In the simulations, use a wind speed of 5 m/s and a tip speed ratio of 6. For air density and viscosity, use values from the “standard atmosphere”. Note that in a given Reynolds number range, the efficiency of a turbine with blades of radius R depends primarily on the tip speed ratio, λ = ΩR/U, where U is the wind speed, and Ω is the angular velocity of the rotor.
Your project report should include the following. For each item below, also include a short discussion i.e. don’t just present a bunch of figures or equations without any discussion.
- Introduction
- Governing equations and boundary conditions
- CFD simulation procedure including
- Flow domain extents i.e. where you placed the outer boundaries
- Mesh:
- Total number of cells (i.e. control volumes)
- Views of the mesh near and away from the blade
- A discussion of mesh quality
- Convergence history of residuals and integral of static pressure
- Results and discussion including the following:
- Pressure distribution on the blade on windward and leeward sides. Discuss whether the trends agree with your expectations.
- Pressure and velocity distributions around the airfoil section at a few locations along the blade. Sketch in the directions of lift and drag. Discuss the trends in the pressure and velocity distribution, relative magnitudes of lift and drag as well as which segments of the blade are contributing most to the power generated.
- Variation of pressure along the stream-wise axis passing through the hub center. Discuss whether this plot agrees with your expectations.
- Torque and power coefficient. Does the latter seem reasonable? Why or why not?
- Verification. Discuss how one could improve the results from the simulation. You do NOT need to implement the verification steps in the interest of time.
- Conclusion which includes a summary of your results