Numerical Analysis of the Near-Wake Flow Field of Two Closely Spaced Wind Turbines with Passive Flow Control Ducts

Autor segons l'article: Abid, Maytham M; Marin-Genesca, Marc

Departament: Enginyeria Mecànica

Autor/s de la URV: Marín Genescà, Marc

Paraules clau: Aerodynamics; Air; Closely arranged in-line ducted wind turbine; Closely arranged in-line ducted wind turbines; Dawt (diffuser augmented wind turbine); Diffuser augmented wind turbine; Ducted wind turbines; Ducts; Energy dissipation; Energy efficiency; Flow control; Flow control techniques; In-line; Mixing; Near wake flow; Numerical study; Passive flow control; Passive flow control technique; Passive flow control techniques; Performance; Shear flow; Vortex flow; Wake profile augmentation; Wakes; Wind power; Wind turbine systems; Wind turbines

Resum: The growing demand for renewable energy in space-constrained environments highlights the need for compact, high-efficiency wind energy systems. Conventional bare wind turbine (BWT) arrays suffer from severe wake interactions and performance degradation when operated in tandem or closely spaced configurations. To address these limitations, this study investigates the aerodynamic performance and near-wake dynamics of a novel multi-ducted wind turbine (MDWT) system that integrates passive flow-control technique (PFCT) into an innovative fixed-duct design. The objective is to evaluate how tandem ducted arrangements with this integrated mechanism influence wake recovery, vortex dynamics, and power generation compared with multi-bare wind turbine (MBWT) system. A numerical approach is employed using the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) formulation with the k-omega SST turbulence model, validated against experimental data. The analysis focuses on two identical, fixed-orientation ducts arranged in tandem without lateral offset, tested under three spacing configurations. The results reveal that the ducted system accelerates the near-wake flow and displaces velocity-deficit regions downward due to the passive flow-control sheets, producing stronger inflow fluctuations and enhanced turbulence mixing. These effects improve wake recovery and mitigate energy losses behind the first turbine. Quantitatively, the MDWT array achieves total power outputs 1.99, 1.90, and 1.81 times greater than those of the MBWT array for Configurations No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, respectively. In particular, the second duct in Configuration No. 1 demonstrates a 3.46-fold increase in power coefficient compared with its bare counterpart. These substantial gains arise because the upstream duct-PFCT assembly generates a favorable pressure gradient that entrains ambient air into the wake, while coherent tip vortices and redirected shear flows enhance mixing and channel high-momentum fluid toward the downstream rotor plane. The consistent performance across spacings further confirms that duct-induced flow acceleration and organized vortex structures dominate over natural wake recovery effects, maintaining efficient energy transfer between turbines. The study concludes that closely spaced MDWT systems provide a compact and modular solution for maximizing energy extraction in constrained environments.

Àrees temàtiques: Engineering (all); Engineering (miscellaneous); Engineering, multidisciplinary; General engineering

Accès a la llicència d'ús: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/

Adreça de correu electrònic de l'autor: marc.marin@urv.cat

Data d'alta del registre: 2026-02-13

Versió de l'article dipositat: info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Enllaç font original: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/10/6/104

Referència a l'article segons font original: Inventions. 10 (6): 104-

Referència de l'ítem segons les normes APA: Abid, Maytham M; Marin-Genesca, Marc (2025). Numerical Analysis of the Near-Wake Flow Field of Two Closely Spaced Wind Turbines with Passive Flow Control Ducts. Inventions, 10(6), 104-. DOI: 10.3390/inventions10060104

URL Document de llicència: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/

DOI de l'article: 10.3390/inventions10060104

Entitat: Universitat Rovira i Virgili

Any de publicació de la revista: 2025-11-13

Tipus de publicació: Journal Publications