Prediction of the near wall flow behaviours of separation and transition for NREL phase VI wind turbine blade

This study demonstrates the separation and transition flow behaviour around a 3-D wind turbine blade by analysing blending functions, intermittency, onset Reynolds number in SST Gamma Theta model. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory Phase VI rotor was modelled for analysis. simulations were executed using ANSYS-CFX solver. Extensive comparisons performed to demonstrate accuracy of this numerical model sectional pressure distribution, tangent force, normal thrust, torque. Good agreement observed all speed cases. discrepancies pre-stall region negligible, those post-stall acceptable. Thus, capability predicting separated transitional effects verified.