Near wake flow analysis of a vertical axis wind turbine by stereoscopic particle image velocimetry

The development of the near wake of a vertical axis wind turbine is investigated by stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. The experiments are conducted in an open-jet wind tunnel on an H-shaped rotor, operated at a tip speed ratio of 4.5 and at an average chord-based Reynolds number of 1.7 x 10(5). Phase-locked measurements are acquired at the turbine mid span in order to study the horizontal wake dynamics at the symmetry plane. Results show the evolution of the vorticity shed by the blade, how it organizes in large scale vortical structures at the edges of the wake and the resulting asymmetric induction field in the wake. The evolution of the blade tip vortices and the 3D wake geometry are detailed by a second set of measurements acquired at several vertical planes aligned with the free stream. The dynamics of the system of tip vortices, their vertical motion and interactions are discussed and related to the geometry and the recovery of the wind turbine wake. The experimental data are made publicly available for research purposes. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.