Flow structure and induction factor of a lightly loaded wind turbine model in a wind-turbine array boundary layer

ORAL

Abstract

Wind-tunnel experiments are carried out in order to study the structure of the flow within a 3 by 3 array of lightly loaded wind turbine models operating inside of a boundary layer. Particle-Image-Velocimetry measurements are performed in a volume surrounding a wind turbine model located on the center of the last row. Data gathered is used to compute time-averaged mean velocity and turbulence quantities in 18 planes surrounding the wind turbine model, and missing data are obtained through bilinear interpolation in space. The induction factor is estimated by computing the volumetric flux and mean velocities through circles centered at hub-height both upstream and downstream of the wind turbine model. Computation and visualization of the streamtube is performed by tracking the evolution of (virtual) fluid particles that pass through the (interpolated)~rotor disk location. The effects of wall blockage, mean velocity shear, and turbulence stresses and mixing on the streamtube geometry are considered.

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Authors

  • Jose Lebron-Bosques

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Raul B. Cal

    Portland State University, PSU

  • Hyung-Suk Kang

    The Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Johns Hopkins University

  • Luciano Castillo

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Charles Meneveau

    The Johns Hopkins University, JHU, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science, Johns Hopkins University, Mechanical Engineering and Center for Environmental and Applied Fluid Mechanics, Johns Hopkins University