CFD Simulation of Co-Planar Multi-Rotor Wind Turbine Aerodynamic Performance Based on ALM Method

Yuan Zhang, Xin Cai, Shifa Lin (), Yazhou Wang and Xingwen Guo
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Yuan Zhang: College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, No.8 West Focheng Road, Nanjing 210098, China
Xin Cai: College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, No.8 West Focheng Road, Nanjing 210098, China
Shifa Lin: College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, No.8 West Focheng Road, Nanjing 210098, China
Yazhou Wang: College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, No.8 West Focheng Road, Nanjing 210098, China
Xingwen Guo: College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, No.8 West Focheng Road, Nanjing 210098, China

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Considering requirements such as enhanced unit capacity, the geometric size of wind turbine blades has been increasing; this, in turn, results in a rapid increase in manufacturing costs. To this end, in this paper, we examine the aerodynamics of co-planar multi-rotor wind turbines to achieve higher unit capacity at a lower blade length. The multiple wind rotors are in the same plane with no overlaps. The ALM-LES method is used to investigate the interaction effect of the blade tip vortices, by revealing the regulation of aerodynamic performance and flow field characteristics of the multi-rotor wind turbines. The simulated results suggest an observable reduction in the blade tip vortices generated by blades located closely together, due to the breaking and absorption of the blade tip vortices by the two rotors. This results in increased aerodynamic performance and loads on the multi-rotor wind turbine. The influence between the blade tip vortex is mainly located in the range of 0.2 R from the blade tip, with this range leading to a significant increase in the lift coefficient. Thus, when the wind rotor spacing is 0.2 R, the interaction between the blade tip vortices is low.

Keywords: multi-rotor wind turbine; co-planar; aerodynamic performance; near-wake flow; CFD numerical simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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