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Effect of Boundary Layer Trips on Low-Velocity Wind Turbine Blade: A Computational Study

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering
© 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal
Volume 12 Issue 3
Year of Publication : 2025
Authors : Suhas B.G, Anil Chandra A.R, Prema V, Sreejith B.K., Abdulrajak Buradi, Kiran Kumar K.U
10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I3P102
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How to Cite?

Suhas B.G, Anil Chandra A.R, Prema V, Sreejith B.K., Abdulrajak Buradi, Kiran Kumar K.U, "Effect of Boundary Layer Trips on Low-Velocity Wind Turbine Blade: A Computational Study," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 3, pp. 28-35, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I3P102

Abstract:

This study focuses on designing wind turbines that can efficiently generate energy from low wind velocities. It investigates airfoils operating at low Reynolds Numbers (Re <500,000), where their performance often suffers due to Laminar Separation Bubbles (LSBs). The research applies passive methods to mitigate this effect and enhance blade efficiency. A site-specific analysis identified the design wind speed as 7.25 m/s at a hub height of 10 meters, adhering to IEC standards. The passive flow control method was employed to reduce LSBs and drag, thereby boosting the aerodynamic performance of the FX 63-137 airfoil. A 2D computational study evaluated the influence of rectangular-shaped BLTs on airfoil performance. The analysis considered various angles of attack and wind speeds (5.15, 7.25, and 10 m/s). The introduction of BLTs reduced total drag by approximately 14%. The lift-to-drag ratio (Cl/Cd) increased by roughly 12.3% at the design wind speed. The numerical analysis showed strong agreement with experimental data available in the literature, demonstrating the validity of the approach. This research confirms the effectiveness of boundary layer trips in improving aerodynamic performance under low wind speed conditions. The findings support the potential of this method to enhance the efficiency of small-scale wind turbines in regions with moderate wind resources.

Keywords:

Boundary Layer Trips, Laminar Separation Bubble, Passive techniques, Power generation, Small speed wind turbine.

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