Comparative CFD Analysis of Three Wind Turbine Airfoils

Wind energy has been experienced as one of the most useful sources of renewable energy. The most common device that is used to harvest energy from wind is the wind turbine. Blade is a key element in a wind turbine. The airfoil of the blade structure has an important role in the hydrodynamic properties of the blade in parallel with air flow conditions. In this paper three airfoils with different thickness from NACA family, 0012, 0015 and 0018 have been simulated and analyzed. The results of simulation are compared with experimental results. Results indicate that as the Reynolds number increases, a higher maximum lift coefficient is produced in all airfoils. The NACA 0012 produces lower maximum lift, but stalls at a higher angle of attack compared to the NACA 0015 and NACA 0018 airfoil. Late stall reduces the noise during operation of the turbine. The results can be used to guide the selections of the geometric parameters and constraints in an aerodynamic optimization of wind turbine blade’s airfoils.