Numerical Computation and Analyses on the Blade Aerodynamic Performance of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Rotor

The blade aerodynamic performance of the NREL Phase VI rotor is studied using the full three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and the κ-ω SST turbulence model under non-yawed condition at the wind speeds of 7m/s and 10m/s. Comparisons with NREL Phase VI experimental results are presented with respect to the pressure distributions, the normal force coefficients and the tangent force coefficients at several blade elements along the blade axis. The results show that numerical data have a good agreement with experimental ones at 7m/s, whereas large differences occur only at r/R=0.3, 0.47 at 10m/s; large separated area and cross flows on the suction surface of the blade can be found through the limited streamlines for centrifugal and Coriolis forces lead to the lift augment and delay stall at the blade root.