Boundary layer transition modeling on leading edge inflatable kite airfoils

• Published in: Wind energy (Chichester, England) Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 908 - 921
• Main Authors: Folkersma, Mikko, Schmehl, Roland, Viré, Axelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.07.2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Aerodynamics; Angle of attack; Boundary layer transition; Boundary layers; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer applications; Fluid flow; kite airfoils; Laminar boundary layer; Phase transitions; RANS; Reynolds number; sailwings; Separation; Shear stress; transition modeling; Turbulence models; Wind power

We present a computational fluid dynamic analysis of boundary layer transition on leading edge inflatable kite airfoils used for airborne wind energy generation. Because of the operation in pumping cycles, the airfoil is generally subject to a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The analysis is based on...