Reynolds Number Effect on the Optimization of a Wind Turbine Blade for Maximum Aerodynamic Efficiency
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 1
Abstract
Because of the increase in wind rotor size, the Reynolds number of an airfoil profile can reach a very high value. The effect of the Reynolds number on the aerodynamic performance of airfoils is investigated, and its influence on the optimal design of a wind rotor aiming to maximize the power coefficient is discussed. Six airfoils are involved—four DU and two NACA6—as well as five Reynolds numbers varying from to , which cover most commercial wind turbines. At a higher Reynolds number, all of the airfoils exhibit better performance, such as a higher lift coefficient, a lower drag coefficient, and a larger lift-to-drag ratio at a given angle of attack. The largest lift-to-drag ratio and the corresponding lift coefficient and angle of attack also change with the Reynolds number, which in turn affects both the performance and the optimal shape of a blade. The results show that a practical blade operating at a higher Reynolds number requires a duller shape with a greater twist angle, and has a better power coefficient than those operating at lower Reynolds numbers.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11402088) and the the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
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Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 1 • March 2016
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 3, 2014
Accepted: Oct 14, 2014
Published online: Dec 4, 2014
Discussion open until: May 4, 2015
Published in print: Mar 1, 2016
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