• Wind and Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.405-416
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• 2019

Aerodynamic characteristic of a small scale wind turbine under the influence of an incoming uniform wind field is studied using k-ω Shear Stress Transport turbulence model. Firstly, the lift and drag characteristics of the blade section consisting of S826 airfoil is studied using 2D simulations at a Reynolds number of 1×10⁵. After that, the full turbine including the rotational effects of the blade is simulated using Multiple Reference Frames (MRF) and Sliding Mesh Interface (SMI) numerical techniques. The differences between the two techniques are quantified. It is then followed by a detailed comparison of the turbine's power/thrust output and the associated wake development at three tip speeds ratios (λ = 3, 6, 10). The phenomenon of blockage effect and spatial features of the flow are explained and linked to the turbines power output. Validation of wake profiles patterns at multiple locations downstream is also performed at each λ. The present work aims to evaluate the potential of the numerical methods in reproducing wind tunnel experimental results such that the method can be applied to full-scale turbines operating under realistic conditions in which observation data is scarce or lacking.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

The flow characteristics in a stirred tank are very useful in a wide variety of industrial applications. Generally, the flow pattern, power consumption and mixing time in stirred vessels depend not only on the design of the impeller, but also on the tanks' geometry and internal structure. In this study, the analysis of an unstable and unsteady complicated flow characteristics generated by the interaction between the baffle shape and impeller were performed using the ANSYS FLUENT LES Turbulence Model. The study compared the predictions of CFD with the interaction between two types of rotating impellers (axial and radial flows) and the shapes of three baffles. The results of the comparison verified that the design model showed a relatively efficient trend in the mixing flow fields and characteristics around the impeller and baffles during agitation.