Computational insights into erosion dynamics: Wind speed, particle size, and mass effects on turbine blade degradation

Abstract

The durability and efficiency of wind turbines in sandy environments are crucial challenges for the renewable energy sector. Erosion poses a significant threat to these installations’ operational lifespan and economic viability. Understanding the factors influencing erosion rates and the resulting stresses on turbine blades is essential for advancing wind energy as a reliable and cost-effective power source. This study involves the complex dynamics between wind speed, sand particle size, and sand mass fraction, and their combined impact on erosion rate density and stress distribution across wind turbine blades. Through comprehensive computational simulations, the investigation of the erosion patterns from the blade root to the tip is carried out under varying conditions, i.e., wind speeds ranging from 5 to 15 m/s, sand mass fractions from 0.05 to 0.20, and particle sizes from 100 to 1000 μm. The computational study was conducted using a commercial code. The results reveal a direct relationship between increasing wind speeds and the intensification of erosion rate densities, with the blade tip experiencing significantly more erosion than the root. Moreover, higher sand mass fractions were associated with increased erosion rate densities and stresses along the entire blade. The analysis of particle size effects showed that larger particles predominantly induce greater erosion rates, though the largest particles exhibit non-linear behaviour, indicating complex aerodynamic interactions.