Detached-Eddy Simulation of Flow Around the NREL Phase VI Blade

The detached-eddy simulation model implemented in the computational fluid dynamics code EllipSys3D is used to calculate the flow around the non-rotating NREL Phase VI wind turbine blade. Results are presented for flow around a parked blade at fixed angle of attack and a blade pitching along the blade axis. Computed blade characteristics are compared with experimental data from the NREL/NASA Ames Phase VI unsteady experiment. The detached-eddy simulation model is a method for predicting turbulence in computational fluid dynamics computations, which combines a Reynolds-averaged Navier –Stokes method in the boundary layer with a large-eddy simulation in the free shear flow. The present study focuses on static and dynamic stall regions highly relevant for stall-regulated wind turbines. Computations do predict force coefficients and pressure distributions fairly well. Results using detached-eddy simulation show considerably more three-dimensional flow structures compared to conventional two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier –Stokes turbulence models, but no particular improvements are seen in the global blade characteristics. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.