Post stall airfoil data for wind turbines: wind tunnel test results
Wind turbine blades operate over a wide angle of attack range. Unlike aircraft, a wind turbine's angle of attack range extends deep into stall where the three dimensional performance characteristics of airfoils are not generally known. Peak power predictions upon which wind turbine components are sized depend on a good understanding of a blade's post stall characteristics. The purpose of this wind tunnel study is to characterize the performance characteristics of a blade in stall as a function of its aspect ratio, airfoil thickness and Reynolds number. This report documents results of the wind tunnel investigation of constant chord blades having four aspect ratios, with NACA 44XX series airfoil sections, at angles of attack ranging from -10 to 110/sup 0/. Tests were conducted at Reynolds number ranging from one-quarter million to one million. The thickness ratios studied were 0.18, 0.15, 0.12 and 0.09. The aspect ratios were 6, 9, 12 and infinity. Results of force and pitching moment measurements, over the angle of attack range, for all combinations of Reynolds numbers, thickness and aspect ratios, and the effects of boundary layer tripping, have been presented. Both initial and secondary stall are presented. The maximum drag coefficient is found to occur at an angle of attack of 90/sup 0/. The pitching moment is unstable beyond stall. The lift and post-stall drag coefficients decrease with decreasing aspect ratio. The lift coefficient decreases with decreasing thickness ratio, while the drag coefficient increases. The boundary layer tripping is observed to decrease the lift curve slope and stalling angle of attack. The drag coefficient (with tripping) is significantly affected only at low aspect ratio.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station (USA). Dept. of Aerospace Engineering
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP03533
- OSTI ID:
- 6165655
- Report Number(s):
- RFP-3724; ON: DE85004052
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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