Validation of Surface Roughness Model in RANS Simulation of Airfoils

Abstract

Framed within a of a research project that aims to analyze the aerodynamic impact of surface roughness and erosion on wind turbine blades, this study has the objective of evaluating the predictions and limitations of Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) numerical simulations on airfoils with surface roughness, comparing numerical results with experimental data. For this purpose, numerical studies of turbulent flow over laminar and non-laminar airfoils with leading edge roughness are carried out at different angles of attack. The analysis includes the NACA 63(3)-418, a laminar airfoil used in wind turbines, and the NACA 2418, a non-laminar airfoil of similar geometric characteristics. The simulations, performed using the ANSYS Fluent software, are of the RANS (Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes) type with the k-omega SST (Shear Stress Transport) turbulence model and Standard Law-of-the-Wall Modified for Roughness.