CFD Simulation of the Wind Turbine Wake Under Different Atmospheric Boundary Conditions
Abstract
In this research project, the effects that atmospheric boundary condition and yaw angle have on wind turbine wake are simulated and analyzed by computational fluid dynamic (CFD). The three-dimensional wind turbine model from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Phase VI experiment is applied in the simulation. First, the performance of three commonly used turbulence models, the Realizable k-ϵ model, SST k-ω model, and LES model, is studied. Results are compared with the experiment data for validation purposes. The realizable k-ϵ model is used for further simulation as it can provide accurate results with low computational cost. Next, the wake flow under different atmospheric boundary conditions is simulated by changing the thermal conditions of the land surface and upper air. The main parameter of wake flow, such as velocity deficit and added turbulence, is analyzed, and the differences of power output are compared among different atmospheric boundary conditions. Thirdly, the yaw effects under different atmospheric boundary conditions are studied and analyzed and comparisons with non-yaw cases are also presented.
Degree
M.S.M.E.
Advisors
Wang, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering
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