H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D.
Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
Cfd Analysis Of Wind Turbine Blade
1
H. V. Mahawadiwar, 2V.D. Dhopte, 3P.S.Thakare, 4Dr. R. D. Askhedkar
1
M. Tech Student, K.D.K.C.E., Nagpur, India 440 009
2,3
Asst. Professor, K.D.K.C.E., Nagpur, India 440 009
4
Dean R & D, K.D.K.C.E, Nagpur, India 440 009
ABSTRACT:
A wind turbine is a rotary device that extracts energy from the wind. Wind energy has been shown to be
one of the most viable sources of renewable energy. [1]. with current technology, the low cost of wind energy is
competitive with more conventional sources of energy such as coal. Rotor blade is a key element in a wind turbine
generator system to convert wind energy in to mechanical energy. [2]. Most blades available for commercial grade
wind turbines incorporate airfoil shaped cross sections. These blades are found to be very efficient at lower wind
speeds in comparison to the potential energy that can be extracted. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a branch
of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid
flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with
surfaces defined by boundary condition.[3] In this paper, CFD analysis of wind turbine blade, a complete drawing,
and details of sub-system are carried out.
Keywords: Wind energy, Airfoils, CFD, blade geometry
1. INTRODUCTION
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has grown from a mathematical curiosity to become an essential
tool in almost every branch of fluid dynamics, from aerospace propulsion to weather prediction. CFD is commonly
accepted as referring to the board topic encompassing the numerical solution, by computational methods, of the
governing equations which describe fluid flow, the set of the Navier-Stokes equations, continuity and any additional
conservation equations, for example energy or species concentrations.[4]. As a developing science, Computational
Fluid Dynamics has received extensive attention throughout the international community since the advent of the
digital computer. All CFD analysis starts by defining the geometry to be used. However, for CFD, the geometry is the
geometry where the air (or fluid) will flow. [5]This means that it is often necessary to define artificial boundaries for
inlets, outlets, far-field conditions etc.
2. DETAILED DRAWING OF THE BLADE:
The blades are perhaps the most important part of our wind turbine. [6].These wind turbine blades have a
simple airfoil shape and when finished they‟ll look (and work) a bit like airplane wings. The blade material is Cedar
wood, strong and light weight. Fig. No. 1 shows front view of the blade with dimensions.
Fig. No. 1 Front View of the Blade with Dimensions
Fig. No.2 shows enlarge end - front view of the blade with angle of 1200 at end face view.
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H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D. Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
Fig. No. 2 Enlarge End – Front View of the Blade
Fig. No. 3 shows plan or top view of blade with dimensions.
Fig. No. 3 Top View of the Blade with Dimensions
Fig. No. 4 shows end view or side view of the blade at three different cross sections at tip, middle and end of the
blade.
Fig. No. 4 End (Side) View of the Blade
Fig. No.5 shows the CAD Model of the Blade.
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H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D. Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
Fig. No. 5 Three Dimensional View of the Blade (F.V)
3. NOMENCLATURE:
V 0 = Inlet wind velocity; α = Angle of attack; ω = Blade angular velocity ; r = Blade radius ; V r =
Resultant wind velocity; ρ = Air density; FL = Lift Force ; FD = Drag Force; N= Speed of wind turbine; CL and CD are
coefficient of lift and coefficient of drag respectively; CP= Coefficient of performance; PN = Numerical Power; PA =
Analytical Power.
4. METHOD OF FLOW ANALYSIS:
Blade velocity triangle showing lift and drag forces on blade element are reveal in Fig. No.6 below.
Fig. No. 6 Blade Velocity Triangle
Modeling of the blade is done in Pro-e. This blade is imported in Gambit software where meshing is done
after that it is transported Into Fluent where flow analysis is carried out. Inlet wind velocity and angle of attack
values are input values provided to fluent .Values CL and CD
are evaluated by Fluent software.
5. CFD Analysis of Wind Turbine Blade:
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and
algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations
required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary condition.[3] CFD
enables scientist and engineers to perform „ numerical experiments, i. e. Computer simulations in a virtual flow
laboratory. CFD is faster and definitely cheaper. A considerable reduction of time and costs for solving the problems
as compared to traditional approaches.[8]
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H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D. Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
CFD Analysis of wind turbine blade consist of main two stages one is preprocessing and second is post
processing. Preprocessing is done in Gambit and post processing is done in Fluent.
Calculations:
α = 70 ; V0 = 8 m/s ; N = 51 rpm ; r = 1.524 m ; ρ = 1.225 Kg/m3
V = r . ω = r . 2 . π . N / 60
= 1.524 x 2 x π x 51 / 60
V = 8.14 m/s
V r = ( V 2 + V0 2 ) 1/2
= ( 8.14 2 + 8 2) 1/2
V r = 11.41 m/s
From Fluent software we get values of
CL = 0.9559
CD = 0.00137
Therefore we get values of
Lift Force = FL = 0.5 . ρ . V r 2 . CL
FL = 0.5 x 1.225 x (11.41) 2x 0.9559
FL = 76.22 N
Drag Force = FD = 0.5 . ρ . V r 2 . CD
FD = 0.5 x 1.225 x (11.41) 2x 0.00137
FD = 0.1092 N
Resultant Force = FR = ( FD 2 + F L 2 ) 1/2
FR = 76.22 N
Power = P N = Torque x ω -------------- Numerical Value
= (FR x r x ω )
= (FR x V )
= ( 76.22 x 8.14)
P N = 620.43 Watts
Power = P A = 0.5 x ρ x A x VO 3x CP--------Analytical Value
= 0.5 x 1.225 x 7.296 x 8 3 x CP
Therefore, CP = 620/2288 = 0.271
5. RESULT ANALYSIS:
1) CAD model of the blade profile using Pro-E software is created and the model drawing of the blade as
shown in Fig. No 7 below.
Fig. No. 7 Three Dimensional View of the Blade (F.V)
2) For the flow analysis of the wind turbine blade mesh is created in the GAMBIT software. Fig. No. 8 shows
the meshing drawing of the blade below.
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H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D. Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
Fig. No. 8 Completed Mesh.
3) CFD analysis of the wind turbine blade is carried out in the FLUENT software, the results of numerical
power is shown in table no. 1 below.
N = 19 N = 25 N = 32 N = 38 N = 44 N = 51 N = 57 N = 62 N = 70
rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0
Sr. = 3m/s = 4m/s = 5m/s = 6m/s = 7m/s = 8m/s = 9m/s = 10m/s = 11m/s
α
No
PN PN PN PN PN PN PN
PN (W) PN (W)
(W) (W) (W) (W) (W) (W) (W)
1 0 15.59 40.28 106.68 195.16 284.28 558.07 808.62 1061.4 832.93
2 1 16.18 42.01 109.28 198.84 340.61 563.04 820.54 1079.81 865.96
3 2 16.70 44.3 110.67 201 345.59 559.25 831.41 1094.48 878.11
4 3 17.12 46 111.72 203.86 348.39 572.23 840.60 1104.5 905.22
5 4 17.60 48.95 113 205.37 354.4 577.94 850.87 1116.38 924.1
6 5 18.05 49.86 115.04 212.47 359.44 583.72 863.5 1131.6 951.6
7 6 18.51 52.34 118.52 215.55 362.68 604.18 867.78 1152.3 1007.1
8 7 19.42 55 121.72 219.86 368.48 620 875.65 1157 1020.3
9 8 9.97 47.03 100.97 186.91 293.33 496.54 746.78 1001.3 602.97
10 9 9.30 46 97.78 176.59 278.07 478.29 728.18 959.21 550.55
Table No. 1 Values of Numerical Power
4) The results of analytical power shown in table no. 2 below.
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H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D. Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
N = 19 N = 25 N = 32 N = 38 N = 44 N = 51 N = 57 N = 62 N = 70
rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0
= 3m/s = 4m/s = 5m/s = 6m/s = 7m/s = 8m/s = 9m/s = 10m/s = 11m/s
Sr. No
PA PA PA PA PA PA
PA (W) P A (W) PA (W)
(W) (W) (W) (W) (W) (W)
120.63 286 x 558.62 x 965.30 1532.87 x 2288 x 3257.9 x 4490 x 5948.24 x
1
x CP CP CP x CP CP CP CP CP CP
Table No. 2 Analytical Power
5) The results of coefficient of performance (CP) shown in Table No. 3 below.
N = 19 N = 25 N = 32 N = 38 N = 44 N = 51 N = 57 N = 62 N = 70
rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0 rpm V0
Sr.
Α = 3m/s = 4m/s = 5m/s = 6m/s = 7m/s = 8m/s = 9m/s = 10m/s = 11m/s
No
CP CP CP CP CP CP CP CP CP
1 0 0.13 0.14 0.19 0.20 0.185 0.243 0.248 0.236 0.148
2 1 0.137 0.146 0.195 0.205 0.222 0.246 0.251 0.240 0.145
3 2 0.138 0.154 0.198 0.208 0.225 0.244 0.255 0.243 0.147
4 3 0.14 0.16 0.199 0.211 0.227 0.25 0.258 0.245 0.152
5 4 0.145 0.17 0.202 0.213 0.231 0.252 0.261 0.248 0.155
6 5 0.149 0.174 0.205 0.22 0.234 0.255 0.265 0.252 0.159
7 6 0.153 0.18 0.212 0.223 0.236 0.263 0.266 0.256 0.169
8 7 0.16 0.19 0.217 0.227 0.24 0.271 0.268 0.257 0.171
9 8 0.082 0.164 0.18 0.193 0.191 0.216 0.229 0.223 0.101
10 9 0.077 0.16 0.175 0.183 0.181 0.208 0.223 0.213 0.092
Table No. 3 Values of Coefficient of Performance (CP)
6) From the result of above table no. 3 we can plot the graph, Fig. No.9 shows the graph of Coefficient of
Performance versus Velocity of air V0
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H. V. Mahawadiwar, V.D. Dhopte, P.S.Thakare, Dr. R. D. Askhedkar / International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-Jun 2012, pp.3188-3194
Fig. No. 9 Graph of CP versus V0
6. CONCLUSIONS:
In this project of CFD analysis of wind turbine blade CAD drawing of the blade is drawn in Pro-E software,
meshing is done in GAMBIT and blade is analyzed in FLUENT CFD software. The following conclusions emerge
from this study.
1) It was observed that value of numerical power increases as angle of attack increases from 0 0 to 70, after 70
the value of numerical power reduced. Hence critical angle of attack for this blade is 70.
2) The maximum value of coefficient of performance (CP max = 0.271) was observed at angle of attack 70 and
at velocity of air 8 m/s.
3) This blade can generate maximum power of 620 W at maximum CP, angle of attack 70 and velocity of air 8
m/s.
4) From the graph Fig. No. 7.1 it was observed that coefficient of performance is increases from 3 m/s to 8
m/s and after 8 m/s value of coefficient of performance reduced.
References:
[1] R.S.Amano, R.J.Malloy, “CFD Analysis on Aerodynamic Design Optimization of Wind Turbine Rotor
Blade”. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 2009. Pp71-75.
[2] Y. U. Sohn, Ch. H. Chun, Y. C. Kim, K. S. Han, “Blade Design of a 750 kW Direct-drive Wind Turbine
Generator System” UNISON Industrial Co., LTD, 330-882, Jangsan-ri, Sooshin-myun Cheonan-si,
Chung-nam, Korea R. Schmidt, M. Rees, Aerodyne Energy system GmbH, Provianthausstr. 9, D-24768
Rendsburg, Germany. pp 1-7.
[3] Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wind_power
[4] Metin Ozen, Ashok Das, Kim Parnell, “CFD Fundamental and Applications” pp 7-8
[5] Fluent_ Tutorial/index.htm
[6] www.otherpower.com
[7] Wind Energy Handbook – 2 – Aerodynamics and Loads. pp 2
[8] Dmitri Kuzmin , “Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics ” , pp 1-25.
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