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Impact of Leading-Edge Tubercles on Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance and Flow Patterns at Different Reynolds Numbers

Author

Listed:
  • Dian Wang

    (CRRC Qi Hang New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100192, China)

  • Chang Cai

    (National Energy Wind Turbine Blade R&D Center, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    The Key Laboratory of Wind Energy Utilization of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China)

  • Rongyu Zha

    (CRRC Qi Hang New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100192, China)

  • Chaoyi Peng

    (Zhuzhou Times New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuzhou 412007, China)

  • Xuebin Feng

    (Zhuzhou Times New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuzhou 412007, China)

  • Pengcheng Liang

    (Zhuzhou Times New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuzhou 412007, China)

  • Keqilao Meng

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot 010051, China)

  • Jianyu Kou

    (Inner Mongolia Energy Group Co., Ltd., Hohhot 010051, China)

  • Takao Maeda

    (Division of Mechanical Engineering, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Qing’an Li

    (National Energy Wind Turbine Blade R&D Center, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    The Key Laboratory of Wind Energy Utilization of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

In recent years, leading-edge tubercles have gained significant attention as an innovative biomimetic flow control technique. This paper explores their impact on the aerodynamic performance and flow patterns of an airfoil through wind tunnel experiments, utilizing force measurements and tuft visualization at Reynolds numbers between 2.7 × 10 5 and 6.3 × 10 5 . The baseline airfoil exhibits a hysteresis loop near the stall angle, with sharp changes in lift coefficient during variations in the angle of attack (AOA). In contrast, the airfoil with leading-edge tubercles demonstrates a smoother stall process and enhanced post-stall performance, though its pre-stall performance is slightly reduced. The study identifies four distinct flow regimes on the modified airfoil, corresponding to different segments of the lift coefficient curve. As the AOA increases, the flow transitions through stages of full attachment, trailing-edge separation, and local leading-edge separation across some or all valley sections. Additionally, the study suggests that normalizing aerodynamic performance based on the valley section chord length is more effective, supporting the idea that leading-edge tubercles function like a series of delta wings in front of a straight-leading-edge wing. These insights provide valuable guidance for the design of blades with leading-edge tubercles in applications such as wind and tidal turbines.

Suggested Citation

  • Dian Wang & Chang Cai & Rongyu Zha & Chaoyi Peng & Xuebin Feng & Pengcheng Liang & Keqilao Meng & Jianyu Kou & Takao Maeda & Qing’an Li, 2024. "Impact of Leading-Edge Tubercles on Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance and Flow Patterns at Different Reynolds Numbers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:21:p:5518-:d:1513914
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shi, Weichao & Atlar, Mehmet & Norman, Rosemary & Aktas, Batuhan & Turkmen, Serkan, 2016. "Numerical optimization and experimental validation for a tidal turbine blade with leading-edge tubercles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 42-55.
    2. Wang, Zhenyu & Zhuang, Mei, 2017. "Leading-edge serrations for performance improvement on a vertical-axis wind turbine at low tip-speed-ratios," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 1184-1197.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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