Navier-Stokes predictions of the NREL phase VI rotor in the NASA Ames 80-by-120 wind tunnel

Abstract

The application of an incompressible Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes solver to cases from the NREL/NASA Ames wind tunnel test is described. Six cases of the NREL PHASE-VI rotor in the upwind configuration under zero yaw and zero degrees tip pitch are computed. Favorable comparison of the computed results with measurements in the form of shaft torque, root moments, spanwise force distributions, and pressure distributions are shown. The good agreement documents the feasibility of 3D CFD computations in connection with prediction of the performance of new rotors. Additionally it is shown how CFD computations can be used to determine the three dimensional effects in rotor flows. Copyright ©2001 by RisØ National Laboratory. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.