Investigating impacts of erosion on wind turbine blades

In sandy and dusty environments, wind turbines face erosion caused by large particles, which impact the blade surface, and deposition from smaller particles. Both phenomena affect the aerodynamic shape of the blade surface, reduce turbine efficiency, increase maintenance and repair costs, and may ultimately compromise the structural integrity of the blades. Understanding erosion and deposition, and their impact on wind turbines, can help improve blade design and enhance turbine performance in dusty regions.

Huang et al. employed a 3D unsteady method coupled with a discrete phase model to provide a more detailed look at particle-blade collisions.

“Our model adopts a dynamic process, focusing on the interactions between particles and blades to investigate the regions and concentrations of erosion and deposition,” said author Haojie Huang. “This approach allows for a more detailed and process-driven understanding, offering scientific support for wind turbine maintenance strategies and helping operators develop more precise maintenance plans.”

The authors found that leading-edge separation resulted in a low-collision zone between the suction and pressure sides of the blade edge. As particle size increased, collisions occurred more often on the suction side. They also found that angle of attack made a significant difference on the collision patterns of the blade. Based on these findings, the team deepened the understanding of the mechanisms behind particle-blade collisions and provided a reliable method for predicting erosion and deposition.

They plan to validate their results with experimental testing in real-world conditions.

“Through field tests in regions with frequent sandstorms, we will observe the actual erosion and deposition behaviors of wind turbine blades under varying particle sizes, allowing us to refine our theoretical models,” said Huang.

Source: “Re-evaluating erosion of wind turbine blades in wind-blown sand environments: Insights into particle collision areas and density,” by Haojie Huang, Ye Bian, Guosong Tong, Hongyou Liu, and Yan Wang, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy (2024). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0231293 .