Vortex generators (VGs) are commonly used for trimming the aerodynamic and aeroelastic performance of wind turbine blades by delaying flow separation. There is therefore a need for the development of reliable, still computationally affordable, models for blade designers to use to predict and enhance the aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils equipped with VGs. Such a model is proposed in the present paper, addressing in particular near-stall and post-stall airfoil performance. Starting from the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations that essentially describe the complex flow around a blade/VG configuration, a spanwise averaging procedure is applied, resulting in an equivalent set of two-dimensional equations, enriched with extra source terms. These terms are modelled using elementary vortex flow theory. In turbulent flows, the production term of the turbulent kinetic energy is also augmented by the vorticity induced by the VG. The model is evaluated by studying the flow past a blade section with and without VGs. An analysis of the performance of nine alternative VG configurations is also presented to demonstrate the sensitivity of the airfoil polars to the VG geometric parameters.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: hnikolao@cres.gr
e-mail: vpolitis@cres.gr
e-mail: tchaviar@cres.gr
Article navigation
Article
Modelling the Flow Around Airfoils Equipped with Vortex Generators Using a Modified 2D Navier–Stokes Solver
I. G. Nikolaou,
e-mail: hnikolao@cres.gr
I. G. Nikolaou
Department of Wind Energy, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, GR19009, Pikermi, Greece
Search for other works by this author on:
E. S. Politis,
e-mail: vpolitis@cres.gr
E. S. Politis
Department of Wind Energy, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, GR19009, Pikermi, Greece
Search for other works by this author on:
P. K. Chaviaropoulos
e-mail: tchaviar@cres.gr
P. K. Chaviaropoulos
Director of Renewable Energy Sources Division, Center for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, GR19009, Pikermi, Greece
Search for other works by this author on:
I. G. Nikolaou
Department of Wind Energy, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, GR19009, Pikermi, Greece
e-mail: hnikolao@cres.gr
E. S. Politis
Department of Wind Energy, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, GR19009, Pikermi, Greece
e-mail: vpolitis@cres.gr
P. K. Chaviaropoulos
Director of Renewable Energy Sources Division, Center for Renewable Energy Sources, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, GR19009, Pikermi, Greece
e-mail: tchaviar@cres.gr
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Division; July 9, 2004 final revision August 3, 2004. Associate Editor: J. Davidson.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2005, 127(2): 223-233 (11 pages)
Published Online: April 25, 2005
Article history
Received:
July 9, 2004
Revised:
August 3, 2004
Online:
April 25, 2005
Citation
Nikolaou, I. G., Politis, E. S., and Chaviaropoulos, P. K. (April 25, 2005). "Modelling the Flow Around Airfoils Equipped with Vortex Generators Using a Modified 2D Navier–Stokes Solver ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2005; 127(2): 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1850486
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Analysis of Erosion of Surfaces in Falling Particle Concentrating Solar Power
J. Sol. Energy Eng (April 2025)
Related Articles
A Parallelized Coupled Navier-Stokes/Vortex-Panel Solver
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2005)
Simulations and Measurements of Pressure Oscillations Caused by Vortex Ropes
J. Fluids Eng (July,2006)
Large-Eddy
Simulation of Shallow Water Langmuir Turbulence Using Isogeometric Analysis and the Residual-Based
Variational Multiscale Method
J. Appl. Mech (January,2012)
Computational Study of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
J. Sol. Energy Eng (February,2000)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Cavitating Structures at Inception in Turbulent Shear Flow
Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Cavitation (CAV2018)
Introduction
Design and Analysis of Centrifugal Compressors
Wind Turbine Airfoils and Rotor Wakes
Wind Turbine Technology: Fundamental Concepts in Wind Turbine Engineering, Second Edition