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wind turbine
characteristics are
performed for a
Abstract
turbines is positive,
because the
higher Reynolds
convenient operating
numbers caused by a
method to modify
measured, two-
dimensional airfoil
properties (Re = 3 M)
number effect.
Reynolds numbers (3
M < Re < 9 M) by
using a calculated
Reynolds number
efficiency, as well as
characterised by an
increased maximum
1. Introduction
characteristics)
Aerodynamic and
centrifugal forces
increase by the square
of the rotor radius,
while gravity forces
increase by the cube of
the radius. Since the
blade cross-sections
also increase by the
square of the radius,
Christoph Klein
aerodynamics, keeping
the airfoils unchanged
does not necessarily
result in unchanged
airfoil properties. The
reason therefore is the
Reynolds number
Number of blades
because it indicates
the dynamic similarity
of two flow conditions.
Geometric proportions
of blades
Materials
Reynolds numbers.
Hence airfoil
properties, which are
valid for small rotor
turbine characteristics.
x 10
Re
7
Vrel c
Section
Chord
Number
Re
Velocity
Length
Kinematic Viscosity
Reynolds
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
Radius r/R
measured at Re = 3 M
A fundamental
dependency of the
wind turbine
performance,
particularly the
maximum power
coefficient and the
optimum tip speed
ratio, is shown in [2]. A
blade design
optimization for
different Reynolds
numbers verified that
the solidity and the
twist distribution
generally depend on
and a calculated
Reynolds number
trend. Subsequently
the synthetic airfoil
data is used as input
for steady state
calculations and aeroelastic wind turbine
simulations. The
results are reviewed in
comparison to
calculations for the
hypothetical case that
there would be no
Reynolds numbers
effect.
Reynolds number
effects on airfoil
properties
specific Reynolds
number effect in wind
turbine design and
analysis. The Reynolds
number in wind tunnel
measurements usually
does not exceed 3 to 4
M, because much
effort is required to
achieve higher
Reynolds numbers.
The approach in this
work is to generate
airfoil
A recent measurement
of airfoil properties at
high Reynolds
numbers has been
carried out in the
Langley Low
Turbulence Pressure
Wind Tunnel for the
17% thick S825 airfoil
of the NREL airfoil
family [3]. Measured
characteristics at Re =
1 to 6 M are presented
in Figure 2.
numbers are as
angle of attack is
follows.
increased.
Reason: viscous
longer in an adverse
Reynolds Numbers.
pressure gradient.
is decreased.
Decreased width of
laminar bucket .
curve slope.
Reason: transition
after reaching of
maximum lift.
Increase of pitching
of attack.
laminar bucket
2
becomes smaller .
Increased width of low
3
drag bucket .
Reason: the high drag
outside the low drag
bucket is generated by
separated flow. The
separation is shifted to
These changes of
airfoil properties for an
increased Reynolds
number are confirmed
by other high Reynolds
number
measurements, e.g. in
[4] and [5].
3. Modification of
airfoil properties
high Reynolds
numbers are
necessary to
Reynolds number
generally
underestimated by
be calculated by the
RFOIL. Considering
which is a modification
Reynolds numbers in
Figure 3, a trend is
visible which is
Reynolds number of 3,
Reynolds number
measurements (see
part 2).
and 9
M
and the measured
properties at
Re = 3
M.
Comparing the
calculated and
measured airfoil
properties leads to the
fact that the measured
maximum lift is lower
and occurs at lower
angles of attack
(dotted red curve) as
predicted by RFOIL for
the same Reynolds
number (solid red
Figure 4, which
measured airfoil
properties of the
properties. Thus,
synthetic airfoil
different Reynolds
RFOIL calculations
generated. The
measured and
synthetic airfoil
drag coefficients is
properties. The
Reynolds number
trend predicted by
result is visible in
RFOIL can be
EU210
C
l
Airfoiltype
Re
EUROS Measured 3 M
RFOIL Calculated
3M
RFOIL Calculated
6M
RFOIL Calculated
9M
[]
The for wind turbines less relevant lower end of the laminar
bucket is shifted to higher angle of attacks
Measured
re
C
e
T
e
T
Measured
Calculated
[]
Calculated
Re Trend
re
Re = 6 M
Re = 3 M
Cd
Measured
Measured
C
lC
Synthetic =
Synthetic =
Measured + Re Trend
Measured + Re Trend
Re = 9 M
[]
Cd
general characteristics of
the curves are similar to
4. Verification of
the method
Two measurements of
curves).
turbine calculations is
more appropriate than
NACA64618
0.9
0.3
1.5
0.0
1.2
-0.3
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
0
0.004
0.008
0.012
0.016
0.02
0.024
[]
Cl
S825
1.5
1.2
0.9
0.6
0.3
0.0
a) Langley Measurement Re = 3 M
-0.3
b) Langley Measurement Re = 6 M
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
0
0.004
0.008
0.012
0.016
0.02
0.024
[]
Cd
Figure 6: Comparison of measured [3] and synthetic airfoil properties of the S825 airfoil
particularly important at low tip speed ratios
and hence at rated power.
Electrical Power
Shaft Power
V=9.
7 m/s
for
ord.
RN
V=9.
2 m/s
for
Rotor Speed
high
RN
5
0
0
3000
High RN Calculation
2500
TipSpeedRatio
Rotor
Spee
15
2000
d
opt. TSR up to
Po
12
1500
w
er
[k
W]
12
15
18
21
24
Figure 7: Power curve and control variables of the reference rotor for ordinary (coloured) and
high (black) Reynolds numbers (RN). The Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) is increased in the variable
speed mode and hence the tip speed limitation starts at lower wind speed. Rated power is
reached earlier due to the slightly better efficiency for high Reynolds numbers.
Power Coefficient
cT
cP
0.55
1.0
0.50
Opt. TSR
0.7
0.35
0.9
0.6
0.45
0.30
0.8
0.5
Thrust Coefficient
Opt. TSR
Rated
5
6
10
11
10
12
11
12
Figure 8: Power and thrust coefficients of the reference rotor for ordinary (red) and high
Reynolds Numbers (blue) with equal blade set angle.
Power Coefficient
cP
0.9
cT
0.55
0.45
Rated
1.0
0.8
0.50
0.40
Opt. TSR
0.7
0.35
0.6
5
6
7
0.30
9
10
11
Optimum Blade Set Angle
12
0.5
Thrust Coefficient
Rated
6
Opt. TSR
7
8
9
10
11
12
Figure 9: Power and thrust coefficients of the reference rotor for ordinary (red) and high
Reynolds numbers (blue). The blade set angle of the high Reynolds number coefficients is
optimized (increased).
angle to the optimum value for high
The thrust coefficient is also increased at
Reynolds numbers.
of CP = 0.59.
[m/s]
25
Wind Speed
20
15
10
T [kNm]
60
Gen. Torque
25
40
15
20
Pitch Angle
[]
12
[rpm]
15
12.5
Tip Speed Ratio
8
[-]
n
10
Rotor Speed
4
P [MW]
3
Power
+ 3.2%
[kNm]
4
My
5
10
15 | 0
5
10
15 | 0
5
10
15 | 0
5
10
15
Figure 10: Simulation of four gusts at different mean wind speeds displayed in series.
Ordinary Reynolds number calculations (coloured) are compared to high Reynolds numbers
(black).
The optimum tip speed ratio is increased.
The shape of the power coefficient curve
changes, its saddle becoming wider. This
is a consequence of points 1 and 2
above. This is advantageous for
operating conditions at non-optimum tip
speed ratios, namely for operation at
Conclusion
high
airfoils allows a wider operating range at
References