SPIV Analysis of the Tip VortexEvolution of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

The present paper evaluates the tip vortex evolution of a horizontal axis wind turbine model using the stereo particle image velocimetry technology. The measurements of the wake region up to 2.7 diameters downstream are first conducted using the phase-locked technique based on two high speed CCD cameras. Parameters that describe the helical vortex wake, such as the velocity, helicoidal pitch and vortex vorticity, are presented at two tip speed ratios. The vortex interaction and stability of helical vortex filaments within wind turbine wake are seen throughout the measurement domain. The results show the wake structure varies with tip speed ratio, and the helicoidal pitch of tip vortex trajectory reduces while the diffusion of tip vortex is faster with increasing tip speed ratio.