Numerical Investigation of Flow Dynamics around a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine’s Airfoil

The optimal design of the cross-sectional airfoil of the vertical axis wind turbines improves their power-extraction efficiency. To achieve this, it is important to comprehend the flow dynamics around their airfoil. This paper investigates the flow behavior around a GOE 570 airfoil at high angles of attack through two-dimensional numerical simulations. A mesh convergence study was conducted using the lift and drag coefficients of the NACA 0012 airfoil at a 20-degree angle of attack. Moreover, the results were validated at angles of attack ranging from 0 to 180 degrees, showing quite agreement with the experimental data. The paper studies the flow separation phenomenon by analyzing complex flow patterns, vortex formation, and pressure distributions at various angles of attack. This research provides valuable insights into the three-dimensional flow dynamics around the turbine, contributing to the understanding of how these basic flow dynamics affect the overall performance. Keywords: Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine, Numerical Simulations, Flow Dynamics, High Angles of Attack, Aerodynamic Performance.