Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of relative camber on the aerodynamic performance improvement of asymmetrical blunt trailing-edge modification

  • Published:
Journal of Engineering Thermophysics Aims and scope

Abstract

In this paper, the aerodynamic performance of the S series of wind turbine airfoils with different relative cambers and their modifications is numerically studied to facilitate a greater understanding of the effects of relative camber on the aerodynamic performance improvement of asymmetrical blunt trailing-edge modification. The mathematical expression of the blunt trailing-edge modification profile is established using the cubic spline function, and S812, S816 and S830 airfoils are modified to be asymmetrical blunt trailing-edge airfoils with different thicknesses. The prediction capabilities of two turbulence models, the k-ω SST model and the S-A model, are assessed. It is observed that the k-ω SST model predicts the lift and drag coefficients of S812 airfoil more accurately through comparison with experimental data. The best trailing-edge thickness and thickness distribution ratio are obtained by comparing the aerodynamic performance of the modifications with different trailing-edge thicknesses and distribution ratios. It is, furthermore, investigated that the aerodynamic performance of original airfoils and their modifications with the best thickness of 2% c and distribution ratio being 0:4 so as to analyze the increments of lift and drag coefficients and lift–drag ratio. Results indicate that with the increase of relative camber, there are relatively small differences in the lift coefficient increments of airfoils whose relative cambers are less than 1.81%, and the lift coefficient increment of airfoil with the relative camber more than 1.81% obviously decreases for the angle of attack less than 6.3°. The drag coefficient increment of S830 airfoil is higher than that of S816 airfoil, and those of these two airfoils mainly decrease with the angle of attack. The average lift–drag ratio increment of S816 airfoil with the relative camber of 1.81% at different angles of attack ranging from 0.1° to 20.2° is the largest, closely followed by S812 airfoil. The lift–drag ratio increment of S830 airfoil is negative as the angle of attack exceeds 0.1°. Thus, the airfoil with medium camber is more suited to the asymmetrical blunt trailing-edge modification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Li, X.X., Yang, K., Zhang, L., Bai, J.Y., and Zhao, X.L., Design of Large Thickness Airfoil with Blunt Trailing Edge, J. Eng. Therm., 2014, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 1744–1748.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Roth-Johnson, P., Wirz, R.E., and Lin, E., Structural Design of Spars for 100-m Biplane Wind Turbine Blades, Renew. Energ., 2014, vol. 71, pp. 133–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Andersen, P.B., Gaunaa,M., Bak, C., and Buhl, T., Load Alleviation onWind Turbine Blades Using Variable Airfoil Geometry, Wind Eng., 2005, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 169–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mayda, E.A., van Dam, C.P., Chao, D.D., and Berg, D.E., Computational Design and Analysis of Flatback Airfoil Wind Tunnel Experiment, Albuquerque: Sandia National Laboratories, 2008.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Jackson, K.J., Zuteck, M.D., van Dam, C.P., Standish, K.J., and Berry, D., Innovative Design Approaches for Large Wind Turbine Blades, Wind Eng., 2005, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 141–171.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Baker, J.P., Mayda, E.A., and van Dam, C.P., Experimental Analysis of Thick Blunt Trailing-Edge Wind Turbine Airfoils, J. Sol. Eng.-T ASME, 2006, vol. 128, no. 4, pp. 422–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Standish, K.J. and van Dam, C.P., Aerodynamic Analysis of Blunt Trailing Edge Airfoils, J. Sol. Eng.-T ASME, 2003, vol. 125, no. 4, pp. 479–487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Singh, R.K., Rafiuddin Ahmed, M., and Zullah, A., Design of a Low Reynolds Number Airfoil for Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines, Renew. Eng., 2012, vol. 42, pp. 66–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Singh, R.K. and Rafiuddin Ahmed, M., Blade Design and Performance Testing of a Small Wind Turbine Rotor for LowWind Speed Applications, Renew. Eng., 2013, vol. 50, pp. 812–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Chao, D.D. and van Dam, C.P., Computational Aerodynamic Analysis of a Blunt Trailing-Edge Airfoil Modification to the NREL Phase VI Rotor, Wind Eng., 2007, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 529–550.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Deng, L., Qiao, Z.D., Yang, X.D., and Xiong, J.T., Aerodynamics Performance Computational of Trailing-Edge-Blunting Methods of Flatback Airfoil for Large Wind Turbine Based on RANS Equation, Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, 2012, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 545–551.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Xu, H.R., Yang, H., and Liu, C., Numerical Value Analysis on Aerodynamic Performance of DU Series Airfoils with Thickened Trailing Edge, Transact. Chinese Soc. Agricult. Eng., 2014, vol. 30, no. 17, pp. 101–108.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Li, R.N., Yuan, S.K., and Zhao, Z.Q., Research on the Effect of Trail-Edge Improvement on Airfoils Performance for Wind Turbine, Acta Aerodynam. Sinica, 2012, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 646–652.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Shen, Z.H. and Yu, G.L., Influence of Airfoil’s Camber on the Performance ofWind Turbines, J. Power Eng., 2007, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 136–139.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Shen, Z.H., Yu, G.L., Shen, H.Y., and Zhu, W.X., The Experimental Study of Enhancement ofWind Turbine Performance by Increasing Blade Camber, Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica, 2007, vol. 28, no. 8, pp. 830–833.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Larsen, J.W., Nielsena, S.R.K., and Krenk, S., Dynamic Stall Model for Wind Turbine Airfoils, J. Fluid Struct., 2007, vol. 23, pp. 959–982.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Li, R.N., Zhang, S.A., Yang, R., and Li, D.S., Effect of AerofoilCamber on Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance, Fluid Machin., 2009, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Chen, J., Wang, Q., Pang, X.P., Li, S.L., and Guo, X.F., Improvement of Airfoil Design Using Smooth Curvature Technique, Renew. Eng., 2013, vol. 51, pp. 426–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Mohamed, M.H., Ali, A.M., and Hafiz, A.A., CFD Analysis for H-Rotor Darrieus Turbine as a Low Speed Wind Energy Converter, Eng. Sci. Technol. Int. J., 2015, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Yang, H., Shen, W.Z., Xu, H.R., Hong, Z.D., and Liu, C., Prediction of the Wind Turbine Performance by Using BEM with Airfoil Data Extracted from CFD, Renew. Eng., 2014, vol. 70, pp. 107–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Choudhry, A., Arjomandi, M., and Kelso, R., A Study of Long Separation Bubble on Thick Airfoils and Its Consequent Effects, Int. J. Heat Fluid Fl., 2015, vol. 52, pp. 84–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ramsay, R.R. and Gregorek, G.M., Effects of Grit Roughness and Pitch Oscillations on the S812 Airfoil, Golden, Colorado: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Li, C., Zhu, S.Y., Xu, Y.L., and Xiao, Y.Q., 2.5D Large Eddy Simulation of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in Consideration of High Angle of Attack Flow, Renew. Eng., 2013, vol. 51, pp. 317–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Pauley, L.L., Moin, P., and Reynolds, W.C., The Structure of Two-Dimensional Separation, J. Fluid Mech., 1990, vol. 220, pp. 397–411.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of AdvancedMechatronics Equipment Technology, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    X. Zhang, G. G. Wang & M. J. Zhang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Built Environment, Beijing, 100013, China

    X. Zhang

  3. School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin, 300384, China

    W. Li

Authors
  1. X. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. G. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. J. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to X. Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, X., Wang, G.G., Zhang, M.J. et al. Effect of relative camber on the aerodynamic performance improvement of asymmetrical blunt trailing-edge modification. J. Engin. Thermophys. 26, 514–531 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1810232817040075

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1810232817040075

Search

Navigation