Reevaluating erosion of wind turbine blades in wind-blown sand environments: Insights into particle collision areas and density

Severe sand and dust storms are prevalent in western China, causing erosion of wind turbine blades and reducing their aerodynamic efficiency. Existing studies mostly use outcome-based approaches to analyze the power loss in wind turbines due to modifications in blade aerodynamic profiles, lacking in-depth research into the underlying mechanisms of these aerodynamic profile changes. This study explores the coupling between continuous and discrete phases and investigates the energy dissipation following particle-blade collisions. Collision areas and particle-blade density are analyzed under varying particle sizes and attack angles employing unsteady methods and stochastic trajectory models. Results indicate that collisions primarily occur at the blade's leading edge, yet a band-shaped area with minimal collision concentration forms at the intersection of the leading edge's suction and pressure sides due to leading edge separation, elucidating why the leading-edge tip is not the most heavily worn area initially. As particle size increases, this low-collision band widens, and the collision area shifts from the pressure side to the suction side, with fewer multiple collisions. Different attack angles reveal the blade tip endures the most collisions, followed by the pressure side, providing a theoretical framework for aerodynamic profile adjustments and offers insights for blade profile protection and restoration.