Prediction of Aerodynamic Behaviour of a 3D Rectangular Blade with Airfoil-Shaped Vortex Generators By Modeling Wind Tunnel Data

Author : Rinku Mukherjee, Hariprasanth Palanivel

Abstract : Passive flow control strategy using airfoil-shaped vortex generators are designed for offshore wind turbine applications. Aerodynamic characteristics are measured using a three-component force balance for a rectangular blade in a low-speed wind tunnel when clean and also attached with miniature wings or airfoil-shaped vortex generators (AVGs). Response Surface Methodology and an Analysis of Variance are performed such that given any/all geometric parameter(s) of the vortex generators, the aerodynamic response of a given blade with vortex generators can be predicted. A maximum of 10% increase in CL -𝛼 = 12o is achieved when a blade has an AVG of minimum height placed near the leading edge. The resulting drag penalty is lower than the clean baseline blade for 𝛼≤10o . It has the highest CL /CD ratio at 𝛼 = 10o with peak values of ≅11.7% for E423 and 11.9% for LNV109A AVGs. The addition of AVGs did not adversely affect longitudinal stability. Overall, both E423 and LNV109A. AVGs hold strong potential for practical applications to enhance aerodynamic performance in wind turbine blades, aircraft wings and UAVs by delaying flow separation with minimal drag penalty

Keywords : passive flow control, vortex generators, aerodynamic performance, wind turbine blades, flow separation, airfoil design, and UAV aerodynamics.

Conference Name : International Conference on Advanced Energy Simulation and Modeling Techniques (ICAESMT-26)

Conference Place : Cannes, France

Conference Date : 1st Jun 2026