RANS simulation of the new Mexico rotor experiment including laminar-turbulent transition

Abstract

Based on the wind tunnel experiments of the Mexnext-III project, this paper presents TAU RANS simulations of the isolated MEXICO wind turbine rotor. Three test cases are considered featuring axial flow conditions at normal and stalled rotor operation. The RANS results are compared to PIV measurements along axial and radial traverses of the flow field and to pressure measurements at the rotor blade surface. The calculated rotor thrust and torque are compared to the experimental data as well. Laminar-turbulent boundary-layer transition near the rotor tip is accounted for in the RANS simulations. The influence of the predicted laminar flow on the rotor torque and power is studied by comparison to fully turbulent results.