Numerical Study on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of the NACA 0018 Airfoil at Low Reynolds Number for Darrieus Wind Turbines Using the Transition SST Model

A symmetrical NACA 0018 airfoil is often used in such applications as small-to-medium scale vertical-axis wind turbines and aerial vehicles. review of the literature indicates a large gap experimental studies this at low moderate Reynolds numbers previous century. This has limited potential development classical turbulence models, which range predict lift coefficients with insufficiently accurate results comparison to contemporary studies. Therefore, paper validates aerodynamic performance characteristics laminar separation bubble formed on its suction side using standard uncalibrated four-equation Transition SST model unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations. numerical study was conducted for chord number 160,000, angles attack between 0 11 degrees, well free-stream intensity 0.05%. The calculated drag coefficients, derivatives, location length quite agree measurements taken from validation. sensitivity performed examine effects time-step size, geometrical parameters mesh distribution around simulation results. data sets obtained work k-ω models were improved double multiple streamtube (IDMS) calculate blade loads turbine. normal component load by approach are much better suited compared model.