Numerical study on aerodynamics of small scale horizontal axis wind turbine with Weibull Analysis

Abstract This paper represents the study of the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis and the Bending Element moment (BEM) analysis of the horizontal small-scale wind turbine for various parameters. Random Airfoils such as the NACA 0012, NACA 0018, NACA 4412, S1016, S1210, S1223, and SC20402 are chosen and the glide ratio is analyzed. The Reynolds number of 100,000 is taken into consideration since it is a small wind turbine design. The foil with the highest glide ratio is selected. Various notations are used to understand the chord and the twist angle of the blade and the blade with better chord and twist is chosen. The Coefficient lift, Coefficient drag, coefficient power, and power curves are analyzed using BEM. The power curves are evaluated for different air densities and a higher value of power is obtained. Finally, in CFD the SST K - ω model for turbulence is understood for various angles of attack using ANSYS Fluent for the different air density. Satisfactory results compared with the CFD and BEM analysis. Study on Weibull distribution is analyzed to understand the required frequencies for wind speeds so that the installation of wind turbines is made convenient in the preferred areas with suitable wind properties.