Assessment of stress-blended eddy simulation model for accurate performance prediction of vertical axis wind turbine

Syawitri, Taurista Perdana; Yao, Yufeng; Yao, Jun; Chandra, Budi

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to assess the ability of a stress-blended eddy simulation (SBES) turbulence model to predict the performance of a three-straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The grid sensitivity study is conducted to evaluate the simulation accuracy. Design/methodology/approach: The unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are solved using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. Two types of grid topology around the blades, namely, O-grid (OG) and C-grid (CG) types, are considered for grid sensitivity studies. Findings: With regard to the power coefficient (Cp), simulation results have shown significant improvements of predictions using compared to other turbulence models such as the k-e model. The Cp distributions predicted by applying the CG mesh are in good agreement with the experimental data than that by the OG mesh. Research limitations/implications: The current study provides some new insights of the use of SBES turbulence model in VAWT CFD simulations. Practical implications: The SBES turbulence model can significantly improve the numerical accuracy on predicting the VAWT performance at a lower tip speed ratio (TSR), which other turbulence models cannot achieve. Furthermore, it has less computational demand for the finer grid resolution used in the RANS-Large Eddy Simulation (LES) “transition” zone compared to other hybrid RANS-LES models. Originality/value: To authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply SBES turbulence model to predict VAWT performance resulting for accurate CFD results. The better prediction can increase the credibility of computational evaluation of a new or an improved configuration of VAWT.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 27, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 18, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 10, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 22, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 23, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat and Fluid Flow
• Print ISSN: 0961-5539
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 655-673
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-09-2019-0689
• Keywords: Vertical axis wind turbine; grid topology sensitivity; stress-blended eddy simulation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6051289
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/HFF-09-2019-0689/full/html