Flow and Structural Analysis of a Straight and Swept Blade Near Stall Region

The aerodynamics of a straight edged and a swept edged blade are investigated using a commercial CFD code. RANS equations with SST k-ω equation were utilized to study the flow separation along the blades span in a stall region. The analysis results will be used to provide inputs to future designs to improve and to enable better prediction of the stall region. The computations were carried out in a narrow wind speed range of 14 m/s to 16 m/s which as per earlier analysis was near the stall point to further understand the locations of flow separations along the blade span. The study provides some insights in to the flow physics in the region around the wind turbine blade. An FE Analysis was also performed to further understand the maximum stress and displacement regions to further provide inputs to future designs. A comparison of maximum stress, deformation and structural vibration modes for the two blades were also done.