Numerical method to predict ice accretion shapes and performance penalties for rotating vertical axis wind turbines under icing conditions

Baizhuma Z. Kim T. Son C.
September 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics
2021 #216

This paper proposes a numerical method to predict the ice accretion shapes and aerodynamic performance of rotating vertical axis wind turbine (VAWTs) under icing conditions. A multiple reference frame (MRF) and sliding mesh technique (SMT) are combined to efficiently reflect the unsteady icing effects on rotating wind turbines. The SMT calculates the flow field considering the rotational and unsteady effects of the VAWTs. The MRF can efficiently clarify the rotational effects of the droplet field and ice accretion. Using the MRF technique, a series of icing simulations is implemented in which the ice shapes are updated at azimuth angle intervals of 36°. Using the proposed method, ice shapes in agreement with those obtained in icing wind tunnel tests can be obtained. Moreover, ice that is evenly distributed over the blade surface under glaze ice conditions can be examined instead of only the forms concentrated on the leading-edge, such as ice horns. The overall output power of an ice-covered VAWT is noted to be significantly reduced. Massive flow separation is induced owing to the increased airfoil thickness at azimuthal angles between 0° and 180°. Nevertheless, the performance of the thickened airfoil is enhanced owing to the delayed flow separation via dynamic stall in azimuthal angles between 180° and 270°.

FENSAP-ICE , Ice accretion shape , Multiple reference frame method , Numerical simulations , Performance analysis , Vertical axis wind turbine

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Department of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark, 403 Nils Koppels ale, Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
Department of thermal and technical physics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi ave, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK, United Kingdom
Institute of Advanced Aerospace Technology, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea

Department of Wind Energy
Department of thermal and technical physics
School of Mechanical
Institute of Advanced Aerospace Technology

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