• Wind and Structures
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.195-213
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• 2014

Recently, the horizontal axis rotor performance optimizer (HARP_Opt) tool was developed in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA. This innovative tool is becoming more popular in the wind turbine industry and in the field of academic research. HARP_Optwas developed on the basis of two fundamental modules, namely, WT_Perf, a performance evaluator computer code using the blade element momentum theory; and a genetic algorithm module, which is used as an optimizer. A pattern search algorithm was more recently incorporated to enhance the optimization capability, especially the calculation time and consistency of the solutions. The blade optimization is an aspect that is highly dependent on experience and requires significant consideration on rotor control strategies, wind data, and generator type. In this study, the effects of rotor control strategies including fixed speed and fixed pitch, variable speed and fixed pitch, fixed speed and variable pitch, and variable speed and variable pitch algorithms on optimal blade shapes and rotor performance are investigated using optimized blade designs. The effects of environmental wind data and the objective functions used for optimization are also quantitatively evaluated using the HARP_Opt tool. Performance indices such as annual energy production, thrust, torque, and roof-flap moment forces are compared.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.61.2-61.2
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• 2011

The spanwise aerodynamic loads of the wind turbine blade are investigated numerically. The blade shape such as twist and chord length along the blade span is obtained from the procedure of aerodynamically optimal design. The rated tip speed ratio and the rated wind velocity are set to 7 and 12m/s respectively. The BEM method is applied to obtain both the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine (Fig.1) and the spanwise aerodynamic loads along the blade span including Prandtl's tip loss factor. The maximum running power coefficient is occurred around 90% radial position from hub (Fig.2). The distributed aerodynamic loads along the blade span can be used for structure analysis.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.366-372
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• 2015

Ocean energy is one of the most promising renewable energy resources. In particular, South Korea is one of the countries where it is economically and technically feasible to develop tidal current power plants to use tidal current energy. In this study, based on the design code for HARP_Opt (Horizontal axis rotor performance optimizer) developed by NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) in the United States, and applying the BEMT (Blade element momentum theory) and GA (Genetic algorithm), the optimal shape design and performance evaluation of the horizontal axis rotor for a 200-kW-class tidal current turbine were performed using different numbers of blades (two or three) and a pitch control method (variable pitch or fixed pitch). As a result, the VSFP (Variable Speed Fixed Pitch) turbine with three blades showed the best performance. However, the performances of four different cases did not show significant differences. Hence, it is necessary when selecting the final design to consider the structural integrity related to the fatigue, along with the economic feasibility of manufacturing the blades.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.7 s.238
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2005

In this paper, we developed an automatic design optimization system for parametric shape optimization of cooling passages inside axial turbine blades. A parallel three-dimensional thermoelasticity finite element analysis code from an open source system was used to perform automatic thermal and stress analysis of different blade configuration. The developed code was connected to an evolutionary optimizer and built in a design optimization system. Using the optimization system, 279 feasible and optimal solutions were searched. It is provided not only one best solution of the searched solutions, but also information of variation structure and correlation of the 279 solutions in function, variable, and real design spaces. To explore design information, it is proposed a new interpretation approach based on evolutionary clustering and principal component analysis. The interpretation approach might be applicable to the increasing demands in the general area of design optimization.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 1999

Cross flow fans are used in various applications, especially in industrial ventilation applications and in room air conditioners, due to their superior performance characteristics. Unlike radial and/or axial fans, the design of cross flow fans have been mostly based on earlier experiences and experiments. In the present study, numerical computations of flow fields through a cross flow fan used in room air conditioner are performed to investigate the detailed flow fields and to study the effect of the blade shape on performance curves to aid better design of the fan. Despite some discrepancies between the two results, it is seen from the present study that the computational results agree quite well with the qualitative experimental results. It is also shown from the present study that by having a different shape of blade, it is possible to achieve about $15\%$ increase in flow rates. The stimulating results of the present study can be used in the design of high performance cross flow fans with the use of optimal design algorithm and experimental verifications.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.645-650
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• 2002

In this paper, new concept, low noise axial fan was developed. The fan was designed to operate at high-pressure condition inside the refrigerator. This fan - we call it Alpha fan - has small turbo blades at trailing edge of axial fan. These turbo blades make alpha fan operate at high pressure and low noise condition. In order to find out the optimal value of design parameters, 6-sigma method was used. The design parameters are ratio between inner and outer diameter, Height, Install angle and Install position of turbo blade. Optimal value of turbo blade was found out and the noise generated from this fan is reduced about 3dB(A).

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.21-26
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• 2016

The objective of present study is to assess the performance of the first stage compressor in a total 3-stage 5000 HP-level turbo compressor. CFD commercial code, CFX has been used to predict three-dimensional flow characteristics inside of the impeller. Shear Stress Transport (SST) model has been used to simulate turbulent flows through Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. Grid dependency has been also checked to get optimal grid distribution. Numerical results have been compared with the experimental test results to elucidate performance characteristics of the present compressor. In addition, flow characteristics of the impeller only have been studied for various blade configurations. Angular offset in leading edge of the blade has been selected for the optimal blade design. Performance characteristics in region of low mass flow rate and high pressure ratio between the impeller entrance and exit have been investigated for the selection of optimal blade design. Also, flow instability such as stall phenomena has been studied and anti-stall characteristics have been checked for various blade configurations in the operational window.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2013

A multi-level design optimization framework for aerodynamic design of rotary wing such as propeller and helicopter rotor blades is presented in this study. Strategy of the proposed framework is to enhance aerodynamic performance by sequentially applying the planform and sectional design optimization. In the first level of a planform design, we used a genetic algorithm and blade element momentum theory (BEMT) based on two-dimensional aerodynamic database to find optimal planform variables. After an initial planform design, local flow conditions of blade sections are analyzed using high-fidelity CFD methods. During the next level, a sectional design optimization is conducted using two dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis and a gradient based optimization algorithm. When optimal airfoil shape is determined at the several spanwise locations, a planform design is performed again. Through this iterative design process, not only an optimal flow condition but also an optimal shape of an EAV propeller blade is obtained. To validate the optimized propeller-blade design, it is tested in wind-tunnel facility with different flow conditions. An efficiency, which is slightly less than the expected improvement of 7% predicted by our proposed design framework but is still satisfactory to enhance the aerodynamic performance of EAV system.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.03b
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• pp.420-423
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• 2008

This present work is to find optimum design of a NACA65 axial fan blade with weighted average surrogate model. The numerical analysis by Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes equations with shear stress turbulence(SST) is discretized by finite volume approximations and solved on hexahedral grids for flow analysis. The blade aerodynamic shape is modified by six design variables for the optimization. The blade profile as well as stacking line is modified to enhance blade total efficiency. Six design variables, airfoil maximum camber, maximum camber location, leading edge radius, trailing edge radius, lean angle at 50% span and lean angle at 100% span, are selected for blade profile to enhance the total efficiency. The PBA model which is basically weighted average of the basis surrogates is used to find the optimal design in the design space from the constructed response surface model for the objective function. By the optimization, the total efficiency is increased by 1.4%.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.9-16
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• 2017

In this paper, the aerodynamic design process of wind turbine blades is established. The optimization design strategy is presented and the constraints that must be reviewed during the aerodynamic design process are summarized. Based on this, this study developed a BEMT-based aerodynamic optimal design program that can be applied easily to actual work, not only for research purposes, but also can be integrated from the initial concept design stage to the final 3D shape detail design stage. The developed program AeroDA consisted of a concept design module, basic design module, optimal TSR module, local shape optimization module, performance analysis module, design verification module, and 3D shape generation module. Using the developed program, an improved design of the 5MW blade by NREL was made, and it was confirmed that this program could be used for design optimization. In addition, a 10kW blade aerodynamic design and turbine detailed performance analysis were carried out, and it was verified by a comparison with the commercial program DNVGL Bladed.