The Effect of Double-horn Glaze Ice on the Vortex Structures in the Wake of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract

The present study experimentally investigated the effect of the simulated doublehorn glaze ice on the rotor blades on the vortex structures in the wake of a horizontal axis wind turbine by using the Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (Stereo-PIV) technique. Based on the “free-run†measurements, it was found that because of the simulated double-horn glaze ice, the shape, vorticity, and trajectory of tip vortices were changed significantly and less kinetic energy of the airflow could be harvested by the wind turbine. In addition, the “phase-locked†results indicated that the presence of simulated double-horn glaze ice resulted in the increase of both root and tip vortex gaps.