NREL PHASE VI ROTOR MODELING AND SIMULATION USING ANSYS FLUENT 12.1.

Numerical modeling and simulation of the NREL Phase VI Rotor operation was attempted using the latest version of the commercial CFD code ANSYS FLUENT® (v12.1). Due to the extensive experimental data available that was collected at the NASA Ames Research Center 80'x120' Wind Tunnel, a detailed evaluation of the numerical results was possible, in order to asses the accuracy of the numerical modeling approach. Computations were performed only for the axial operating conditions, at constant RPM and variable wind speed. The SST k-omega turbulence model was applied for its capability of accurately predicting boundary layer separation under adverse pressure gradient. Results indicate that the model captures very well the occurrence of blade stall. The turbine torque is well predicted for lower wind speeds (pre-stall) but significantly under predicted at higher wind speeds (deep blade stall). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]