Enhancing Wind Turbine Blade Performance through Passive Flow Control: A CFD Analysis of Cavities and Bumps

Aerodynamic stalls in wind turbine blades present a critical issue, resulting in decreased performance and unsteady loads that can induce vibrations, compromising structural integrity. This investigation uses a numerical approach to evaluate the effectiveness of two passive flow control devices-cavities and bumps-in alleviating unsteady aerodynamic forces. Comprehensive 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted using ANSYS FLUENT to assess their impact on the lift and drag coefficients of the FX84W150 airfoil under varying stall conditions. The results indicate that these interventions significantly enhance energy efficiency by minimizing aerodynamic instabilities and delaying stall onset. The strategic placement of these devices was explored to maximize their effectiveness. This study highlights the viability of passive modifications in improving wind turbine blades' aerodynamic and energy performance, presenting substantial opportunities for optimization in wind energy design.