Aerodynamic Optimization of a Helical Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Using Trapezoidal Vortex Generators

Vortex generators are used on airfoils as well as cars to delay the separation of flow. This concept should, in theory, aid Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbines since their rotation relies on the lift force. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were carried out to check the effect of vortex generation. Owing to the lack of requisite computational power, a slice was used in the majority of the present study to determine the optimal vortex generator configuration. This study is conducted using a trapezoidal vortex generator added to a helical vertical axis wind turbine in two configurations, one with vortex generators added on one side of the turbine’s blades and the other on both sides. Furthermore, the angles of the vortex generators are decreased to see what effect it would have. After finding that the vortex generators on one side of the blades at an angle of 30° are the most effective format, a 3D flow case was studied with and without an array of vortex generators on their blades. The present study showed that the addition of vortex generators on the outside of the blade had a positive effect.