Abstract
In light of the increasing global demand for energy, this study explores the potential of small scale (domestic) wind turbines for generating energy domestically. Focusing on airfoils, which are the main elements of wind turbine blades, the research examines the performance of two different designs: NREL S826 and NACA 2412. For this purpose, two-dimensional numerical model was created for each airfoil. The models utilised a C-type grid and incorporated mesh generation with boundary inflation for accurate representation. The Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model was employed to examine the intricate dynamics of flow surrounding the airfoils and to guarantee the precision of the developed numerical model, the outcomes were contrasted with verified experimental data. The current research involved an in-depth examination of pressure and velocity distributions over the airfoils at different wind speeds (5.5 m/s, 7 m/s, 8.3 m/s, and 9.7 m/s) and angles of attack (0°, 2°, 4°, 6°, 8°, 10°, 12°, 14°, and 16°). One of the critical aspects of this study encompasses comparing the lift coefficient and the lift force generated by each airfoil under the diverse operating conditions that were considered. The findings revealed that for the angle of attack ranging from12° to 14°, both airfoils achieved their optimal lift performance. Interestingly, the NREL S826 airfoil demonstrated a slight preference within this optimal range. At the highest wind speed (9.7 m/s), the NREL S826 achieved a maximum lift coefficient of 4.9176 at an angle of attack of 14°, exceeding the NACA 2412's maximum of 3.6878 at 12° at the same wind speed.