Erosion Effect on Wind Turbine Blades Performance

This paper investigates the effects of surface erosion on the aerodynamic efficiency of wind turbine blades. The experimental study utilized an asymmetric airfoil profile with various surface textures and trailing edge configurations. Tests were conducted across a range of flow velocities and angles of incidence. Flow topology was analyzed using Constant Temperature Anemometry and Particle Image Velocimetry, while aerodynamic properties were assessed using an aerodynamic balance in multiple experimental scenarios. The results reveal a significant impact of even minor surface degradation on blade aerodynamics. Specifically, at a chord-based Reynolds number of 1.7 × 105 and a zero angle of incidence, the lift coefficient for blades with an ideal surface condition is up to seven times higher than for configurations featuring rough surfaces and blunt trailing edges.