Micro and small-scale HAWT blades airfoils study through CFD for low wind applications

In this paper, an analysis of basic airfoils profile for micro and small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) has been studied for different angle-of-attack α and fixed Reynolds number. For turbine blade modeling, the data used is from National advisory committee of aeronautics (NACA) of five digit airfoil series. The comprehensive relationship between optimal angle-of-attack α and Reynolds number has been analyzed. A low or high lift-to-drag ratio (L_c/D_c) can be identified at different angle-of-attack α. The computational fluid dynamics analysis of NACA 63-415 airfoil is carried out at different angle-of-attack α at wind speed 5 m/s using ANSYS/Fluent software. The pressure, turbulence and velocity distribution plots have been observed.