International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014)

Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand, 19-21 March 2014

Experimental Study on Sectional Performance

of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine at Optimum
Operation by Using LDV System
T. Phengpom, Y. Kamada, T. Maeda, J. Murata, Y. Kagisaki and S. Nishimura

Abstract-- In the present, we are trying to find alternative

energy to replace fossil fuels. Wind power is a good choice as
alternative energy. Wind power produces the electricity without
producing greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Wind power is
converted to electricity by using wind turbines. The performance
of wind turbine generator depends on the rotor blade shape.
Generally, sectional performance in axial and tangential flow
directions is used to design rotor blades. The designed sectional
flow is different from actual one with span-wise flow. For this
reason, this study would like to study sectional performance in
three dimensional directions for the wind turbine rotor blades,
designed by including span-wise flow effect in the future. A
model wind turbine with 2.4 m diameter is tested in the large
wind tunnel. The velocity filed, count number of local velocity,
and standard deviation of velocity in three dimensions are
discussed.
Index Terms-- Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine, Wind energy,
Sectional performance, Aerodynamics, Velocity distribution,
LDV measurement method, Boundary layer, Span-wise flow,
Velocity field on airfoil section.

I. NOMENCLATURE
r:Radial position [m]
CP:Power coefficient [-]
R :Radius of rotor=1.2 [m]
U0 :Main stream velocity= 7 [m/s]
u1,u2,u3:Velocity components from LDV system [m/s]
u:Velocity component in axial direction [m/s]
v:Velocity component in tangential direction [m/s]
w:Velocity component in radial direction [m/s]
:Tip speed ratio=r/U0
U2D:Two-dimensional resultant relative velocity [m/s]
Uref:Geometrical inflow velocity [m/s]
w0:Span-wise velocity perpendicular with airfoil section [m/s]
Countu1,Countu2,Countu3:Count number in LDV direction[-]
1 , 2 , 3 :The standard deviation of three components [m/s]
:Azimuth angle [deg]
:Angular velocity [1/s]

II. INTRODUCTION

n the present, many researchers have been interesting in

using renewable energy to reduce the amount of fossil fuel
uses.One of the interesting energy is the energy that comes
fromwind.

The Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Mie

University, Tsu, Mie, Japan. (e-mail: phengpom@mach.mie-u.ac.jp).

In order to convertwind to electrical energy, wind turbines

have to be applied to change the dynamic power of the wind
into electrical energy. The performance of a wind turbine
depends on the wind turbine rotor blades. In the present, the
design of wind turbine blades uses BEM theory [1]. With this
method the wind turbine blade is divided into a number of
independent sections along the blade radial position and no
interaction between sectional elements. At each section
element, a force balance is applied, including 2D section lift
and a balance of axial and angular momentum [2]. It is
obvious that the BEM theory can find sectional performance
from two dimensional directions of sectional elements [3]. The
theory does not find effects in three dimensional directions
such as 3D flow velocities. A wind turbine in rotating blades
have centrifugal force which can make flow in the span-wise
direction [4]. The velocity field can change boundary layer
around the blade surface and can affect the sectional
performance of sectional elements [5],[6]. Therefore, the
sectional performance can be changed by the span-wise flow
direction [7], [8]. This research would like to study sectional
performance in radial positionr/R =0.5 of the blade at the tip
speed ratio optimum operation compare with stall operation.
In this experimental research, Laser Doppler Velocimetry
method was used to measure flow around the rotating blade.
The future prospects when the final goal of the study is
completed. The wind turbine new blade design from threedimensional geometry has highly power coefficient and
performance more than commercial wind turbines.
III. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND METHODOLOGY
A. Experimental Devices
The experimental devices are depicted in Fig. 1.
Ahorizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) is tested in awind
tunnel. The wind turbine rotorhas three blades with 1.2 m
rotor radius. The wind tunnel is a single return type with an
opened test section. The outlet diameter of the wind tunnel is
3.6m.The wind tunnel can make maximum wind speed at
30m/s. The main flow velocity is used at a constant speed of 7
m/s. The wind turbine is installed downstream at a distance of
1 diameter from the wind tunnel outlet. The azimuth angle is
used to detect rotational angle of the blade. The origin of
azimuth is a position that the target blade is set vertically
upward. The wind turbine rotor can be rotated by a variable

International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014)
Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand, 19-21 March 2014

rotational speed, which depends on the operating conditions.

The velocity flow around rotatingblades is measured by a twodimensional Laser Doppler Velocimetry.
Wind tunnel outlet

Wind turbine

4.5m

r=1.2m

=3.6m

Inlet

Y
Rotor

Nacell

u2

Pitot tube

u1
Laser

Focus

Tower

1=5.0[]

LDV probe

1.85m
Base

Optical axis

Fig.1. Experimental device

B. Wind turbine blade

The wind turbine blade is twisted and tapered as same as
commercial wind turbine blades. Fig.2 shows the chord length
and twist distributions along radial position of the blades. The
wind turbine blade is set maximum angle of twist 18.33[deg]
atblade position 0.24m. The pitch angle of blade is set -2[deg].
The wind turbine blade cross sections are composed of four
kinds of airfoil: DU91-W2-250, DU93-W-210, NACA63-618
and NACA63-215. Airfoil sections are installed at locations
starting from the blade root.
200

Wind turbine

X
Z

u3

1=5.0[]

20
Chord length

Chor150
d
lengt
h 100
[mm]

Twist angle

0.25

0.50
0.75
Blade position [m]

1.00

0
1.25

Fig.2. Chord length and twist angle distribution in blade position

C. Experimental methods
The surface flow measurements are performed by a LDV
system.The LDV detects the flow velocity at laser
intersection. The laserbeams, green and blue are used in this
experiment. The focal length 1000mm is set to target blade
position. The measuring volume size of green beams is
0.17mm in diameter and 4.3mm in length, and the measuring
volume size of blue beams is 0.15mm in diameter and 4.5mm
in length. The measuring point is set on the horizontal plane at
height of rotor axis, whereazimuth angle is90 [deg]. To get
velocity field in three dimensional directions, two probe
settings are used. The reference LDV probe setting in case of
measuring point at Y=0and Z=r is shown in Fig.3(a) and (b).

2=30[]

Laser

15Twist
angle
10[mm]

50
0

Fig.3(a). Placement of LDV probe for first probe setting

LDV probe
Optical axis
Fig.3 (b). Placement of LDV probe for second probe setting

1 is yaw angle between LDV axisand rotor plane.It is used

to prevent interference by outer blade. 2 is tilt angle between
LDV axisand horizontal plane. First probe setting, yaw and tilt
angles are set 1=5[deg],2 = 0[deg]. The velocity components
u1 in almost axial direction and u2 in rotational direction are
detected. After that, second probe setting, yaw angle is the
same and tilt angle is set 2=30[deg]. The velocity component
u3can detect resultant components of radial and rotational
directions. The u1, u2 and u3 areconverted tovelocity onrotor
blade coordinate by using vectorcalculation,(1), (2) and (3) as
below.
= 1 cos 1 + (
= 2

tan 2

= 1 sin 1 + (

tan 2

sin 2

) sin 1 (1)

sin 2

) cos 1 (3)

(2)

International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014)
Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand, 19-21 March 2014

Here u, vandw are velocity components in axial, tangential

and radial directions onrotor blade coordinate. The velocity
components in axial, tangential and radial directions are
shown. The number of sample is 106 for 1 measuring point.
One local velocity in the flow map is derived from phaselocked averaged velocity of seeded particles passing through
the measuring point. Number of seeded particles pass through
the measuring point is called as Count number.To average
the velocity data, 0.1 degree azimuth BIN is used. The LDV
probe is set on the traversing device, the measuring point can
be moved in axial direction for detecting velocity field around
blade. The measuring point on blade coordinate is detected by
azimuth signal and axial traverse position.

2
Uref= 02 +

Fig.5 shows the flow map around the rotating blade in

radial position (r/R=0.5) at optimum operation. The velocity
contour on suction side of airfoil is shown. The highly
accelerated area is seen at 0<x/c<0.2. In this area, the flow
velocity reaches 1.2<U2D/Uref<1.4. The flow velocity near
suction surface is reducedat x/c>0.3. It meansthat the airfoil
surface hasenough negative pressure at leading edge and the
pressure recovers as close to trailing edge. The flow
atoptimum operationis attached tosuction surface.

IV. RESULTS AND DISSCUSSION

A. Wind turbine performance
The performance of windturbine is shown in Fig.4. The test
result shows the highest power coefficient Cp = 0.43 at
tipspeed ratio of = 5.2. When the tip speed ratio decreases,
stall phenomenon occurs. Investigation of the sectional flow
around the rotatingblade was studied atoptimum tip speed
ratioand stall conditions. In case of stalling conditions, flow
measurements were performed at tip speed ratio of =4.0 and
4.2. The detail flow measurements were performed at radial
position (r/R = 0.5).
0.5

Cp = 0.43
Po 0.4
Cp = 0.36
wer
coe
ffic0.3
Cp = 0.29
ient
(Cp0.2
)

St
all

Optimum

0x/c=
x/c= 0

= 4.0 = 4.2

= 5.2

3
4
5
Tip speed ratio ()

Fig.4.Performance of windturbine

B. Comparison of the velocity field

The velocity field around the rotating blade at r/R=0.5 is
discussed. Generally, the sectional performance is discussed
with two-dimensional flows. The scalar velocity around
bladecan be calculated as the following (4).
U2D= 2 + ( + rev )2 (4)

Here U2D is two-dimensional relative velocity to blade

section. Vrev means tangential velocity at r/R=0.5. u and v are
axial and tangential velocity components. In the flow map,
U2Dis normalizedby using geometrical inflow velocity.Uref is
defined in (5).

0.2

U2D/Uref=

0.4
0.2 0.4

0.6

0.8

0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2

1
1.4 1.6

Fig.5.Two-dimensional velocity (r/R=0.5, =5.2 )

Fig.6 shows the flow map around rotating blade at stall

operation =4.2. From the figure, the velocity on the suction
surface at 0<x/c<0.1 shows accelerated region with a range of
1.3<U2D/Uref<1.6. The flow velocity nearsuction surface is
small at x/c>0.4. The surface flow seems to be separated from
x/c=0.3. The black area appears aroundtrialing edge. The black
area means no velocity data by measurements. The flow in this
region stagnates and seeding particle could not enter this area.

x/c= 0

0.1

(5)

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

U2D/Uref= 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6

Fig.6.Two-dimension velocity (r/R=0.5, =4.2 )

Fig.7 shows the flowmap at =4.0. The accelerated area is

quite weak compare to othercase. The flow doesnt attach
toairfoil surface along all chordsdue to stall phenomenon. The
weak accelerated areais found above leading edge part
0<x/c<0.1.

x/c=

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

U2D/Uref= 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6

Fig.7. Two-dimension velocity (r/R=0.5, =4.0 )

International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014)
Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand, 19-21 March 2014

C. The velocity field in span-wise direction

From previous section, the velocity field in twodimensional directions is presented.Our previous study was
shown effect from three dimensionflow can change boundary
layer around airfoil section which affects the sectional
performance [4]. The three-dimensional resultant and
radialdirection velocities for radial position r/R=0.3 was
studied. The results is shown, the three-dimensional resultant
had highly accelerated region at leading part. The velocity in
radial direction is shown high accelerated area towardinside
blade at leading part 0<x/c<0.2 and found high accelerated
area towardoutside blade at 0.3<x/c<0.5.
In this experiment, the span-wise velocity field for radial
position r/R = 0.5 at optimum conditionwasstudied.The spanwise velocity field w0/Uref is shown in Fig.8. Here w0 means
velocity component perpendicular to airfoil cross section. w0
direction is shown in Fig.9. The red color means high velocity
towardoutside,
and
blue
color
means
high
velocitytowardinside. w0 is calculated from velocity
components.w0 is calculated by using(6).
0 = (

tan 2

tan 2

(6)

) cos 1

region. The particles with high velocity can pass through

measuring volume more time than those with low velocity.
The figure shows less count number above trailing part. Fig.
10(b) shows incount number of u2 case. The velocity
component of u2 is almost rotational direction. From Fig.
10(b),count number of u2showssimilar tendency as
u1case.Because both u1and u2case have almost same
measuring volume. Fig.10(c) shows count number of u3
velocity component. The direction of u3 is30degrees inclined
from u2 in rotational direction. From Fig.10(c), it has similar
tendency to Fig.10(a) and Fig.10(b) case, howeverhigh count
number on surface is seen only leading part. It was caused by
the inclined angle.

x/c= 0

Countu1= 0

x/c= 0

Countu2=

0.2

0.4

0.8

0.6

w0/Uref= -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

0.1 0.2

200

0.8

250 300

350 400

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

50 100 150 200 250 300

350 400
Fig.10 (b) Count number of u2(r/R=0.5, =5.2)

0.3 0.4

Rotational w0
direction

150

0.6

Fig.8.Span-wise velocity (r/R=0.5, =5.2)

w0

50 100

0.4

Fig.10 (a) Count number of u1(r/R=0.5, =5.2)

FromFig.8, the strong inward span-wise velocity is found

at leading part. It is occurred from the span-wise component
of rotational speed. The flow is seen uniform at 0.7<x/c<1. It
seems that the various span-wise velocity is in the turbulent
boundary layer.

x/c=

0.2

Direction

Fig.9. Span-wise velocity direction

D. Count number of local velocity in flow map

The count numbersfor each position at optimum operation
are discussed in this section.Fig.10 (a), (b) and (c) show count
number of u1, u2 and u3 velocity components,respectively. The
velocity component of u1 is almost axial direction. Form
Fig.10(a), count number becomes large in measuring point
nearairfoil surface and leading edge.The large count number
positions correspond pretty much to the high absolute velocity

x/c= 0

Countu3=

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

0
50 100 150 200 250 300
350 400
Fig.10 (c) Count number of u3(r/R=0.5, =5.2)

E. Standard deviation of velocity

This section standard deviation for each position is
discussed. The standard deviation shows velocity variant in
measuring point.Fig.11(a), (b), and (c) show deviations of u1,
u2 and u3 velocity components, respectively. In the figure
color shows intensity of deviation. From Fig.11(a), standard
deviation on suction surface at the leading edge is larger than
other region. It corresponds to the high shear flow region.
From Fig.11(b),the standard deviation of u2 becomes bigger
near surface as it closes to the trailing edge. At x/c>0.5 the
flow is a highly fluctuating. It can be concluded that
the velocity in rotational direction has higher variant than
velocity in axialdirection at trailing part.From Fig.11(c),

International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014)
Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand, 19-21 March 2014

standard deviation 3 shows high variance compare to 1 and

2 case. The reasons are because in u3 case has an effect of
measuring volume layout. The measuring volume for u1 and u2
cases is set radially and chord-wise length is less than 0.2mm.
The measuring volume foru3 case has chord-wiselength of
2mmbecause the measuring volume has inclined angle of
30 degrees to the radial direction. The chord-wise length of
measuring volume of u3 case is larger than other cases. Thus,
in u3 case the measured velocity has the poor resolution of
azimuthal position.The wider measuring volume includes high
variance of velocity due to position change.

the leading edge. The negative pressure is decreased as close

to the trailing edge. The velocity and pressure are dependent
on each other. From Fig.12, the pressure distribution at r/R
=0.5 shows large negative pressure on leading part. The
negative pressure on leading edge at the tip speed =4.2is
higher than that at=4.0 and optimum operation. These
pressure distributions are correspond to the surface velocity
distribution shown in Figs 5-7.
-6
-1

-5
-1

x/c= 0

0.2

1= 0

0.4

0.6

0.8

=4.2

Po -4
wer
coe -3
ffic
ient -2
(Cp
) -1

=5.2
=4.0

8 [m/s]

Fig.11 (a).Standard deviation 1 of velocity u1(r/R=0.5, =5.2)

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Chord station (x/c)

Fig.12.Pressure distribution along chord station (=5.2)

x/c= 0

2= 0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

8 [m/s]

Fig.11 (b).Standard deviation 2 of velocity u2(r/R=0.5, =5.2)

x/c= 0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 [m/s]
3= 0
Fig.11 (c).Standard deviation 3 of velocity u3(r/R=0.5, =5.2)

F. The pressure distribution of rotating blade

From the velocity measurements,the result show surface
flow is depends on the tip speed ratio.The surface flow
affects the pressure distribution on airfoil surface.This section
pressure distribution on airfoil surface is discussed. The
aerodynamic performance can be studied by referencing to
the distribution of pressure on the airfoil. Fig.12 shows
pressure distribution on airfoil suction surface. This
distribution is usually expressed in terms of the pressure
coefficient.When the air flow attacks to stagnation point of
airfoil section, Cp = 1.0, then the air flowwill beseparated to
upper and lower surface. The negative pressure rises rapidly
on the suction surface because of highly accelerated flow in

G. Velocity profile on blade surface at optimum condition

The velocity profile on blade surface is discussed in this
section. Velocity profile is important to study the boundary
layeron airfoil section.The velocity component is the relative
to blade section. Fig.13 (a) and (b) shows the velocity profile
at optimum operation forx/c = 0.1 and x/c = 0.8, respectively.
Fig.13(a) shows parallel and radial velocity components.
Blue color shows parallel velocity and red color shows radial
velocity.Positive parallel velocity means velocity toward to
trailing edge. Positive radial velocity means velocity toward to
blade tip. From Fig.13(a) parallel velocity at x/c=0.1 shows
tangentially induced velocity correspond to circulation on
blade section. The highest parallel velocity reaches 33.24m/s
at 1.27mm from blade surface. Radial velocity is almost
uniform at x/c=0.1. On the suction surface of leading edge
shows small negative value.
Parallel velocity
Radial velocity

Heig
ht
from
blade
surfa
ce
(mm)

Parallel and Radial velocity (m/s)

Fig.13 (a) Velocity profile on the blade surface (r/R= 0.5, x/c=0.1)

International Conference and Utility Exhibition 2014 on Green Energy for Sustainable Development (ICUE 2014)
Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel and Resort, Pattaya City, Thailand, 19-21 March 2014

Fig.13 (b) shows velocity profile at trailing part x/c = 0.8.

Parallel and radial velocity show fluctuation on the blade
surface. This velocity fluctuation seems to be caused by the
flow separation.
Parallel velocity

[5] Hernandez, G.G., Laminar-Turbulent Transition on Wind Turbines,

in DTU Thesis,2011.
[6] Dua, Z., Seligb, M.S., The Effect of Rotation on the Boundary Layer
of a Wind Turbine Blade, Renewable Energy, vol.20, pp.167-181,2000.
[7] Martnez, G.G.,Srensen, H. J. N., Shen, W. Z., 3D Boundary Layer
Study on A Rotating Wind Turbine Blade, Journal of Physics, 37,
pp.12-32, 2007.
[8] T. Burton, N. Jenkins, D. Sharpe, E. Bossanyi, Wind Energy Handbook
2nd edition, vol. 1, New York: Wiley, p. 16-20, 2011.

Radial velocity

VII. BIOGRAPHY

Heig
ht
from
blade
surfa
ce
(mm]

Parallel and Radial velocity [m/s]

Fig.13 (b) Velocity Profile on the Blade Surface (r/R= 0.5, x/c=0.8)

V. CONCLUSIONS
The sectional performance of wind turbine blade at radial
position r/R = 0.5 is explained in this paper. The surfaceflow
around airfoil is important to design wind turbine blades. The
results can be summarized next.
The flow map in two-dimensional directions at optimum
operation shows that the velocity flow is attached with airfoil
suctionsurface except trailing edge.. The highly accelerated
area is occurred at leading part area. At the tip speed ratio
=4.2 and =4.0 are shown stall phenomenon. It is occurred
due to high angle of attack. The velocity flow is not attached
with airfoil suction surface. In the experiments proposed the
effect of span-wise flow which will be considered in future
designs. The result shows high span-wise velocity is occurred
at above the leading part inward inside to airfoil section.
The measuring volume of u3 is larger in azimuthal direction
which can make high velocity variance in measuring volume.
Thus, in future experimental studytwo probes are used for
synchronized measurement of three velocity components. The
local velocity is detected for one particle, so the measuring
volume is limited in the point where three pairs of laser beams
cross.
VI. REFERENCES
[1] Grant, I.(2011,Oct.) Wind Turbine Blade Analysis using the Blade
Element Momentum Method: Wind Turbine Blade Analysis Technical
Report from Durham University. Durham, UK.[Online]. Available
http://www.dur.ac.uk/g.l.ingram/download/wind_turbine_design.pdf.
[2]Johansen, J., Madsen, H., Gaunaa, M., Bak , C., Design of a WindTurbine
Rotor for Maximum Aerodynamic Efficiency,Wind Energy, vol.12, pp.
261-273,2009
[3] C. Sicot, P. Devinant, S. Loyer, J. Hureau., Rotational and
turbulenceeffects on a wind turbine blade. Investigation of the stall
mechanisms,Journal
of
Wind
Engineering
and
Industrial
Aerodynamics,vol. 96, pp. 1320-1331, Jan. 1988.
[4] Suzuki, D., Kamada, Y., Maeda, T., Murata, J. , Kagisaki, Y., Nishimura,
S., Experimental Study on Flow Over Surface of Horizontal Axis Wind
Turbine Blades, Proceeding of The 2ndInternational Symposium for
Sustainability by Engineering at MIU,vol.1, 1,pp.163-166,2012.

TinnapobPhengpom was born in Uttaradit

province in the Thailand. He graduated
Bachelor's
degree
in
the
Industrial
Engineering, and Master's degree in
Mechanical engineering from Chiang Mai
University. His employment experience
included new product development engineer at
Fujikura Electronics (Thailand) ltd., research
assistance at Energy and Environment for
Fluid Engineering Mie University Japan. His
is interested in wind energy and biomass
gasification fields. Now he is Ph.D. student in
System Engineering Mie University.