Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PARTIMPACT (Multi-physics Modelling of Erosive Impact of Particles on Wind Turbine Blades)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-07-01 bis 2023-06-30
The "PARTIMPACT" project tackled a long-standing research challenge of predicting damage due to particle impacts on surfaces. The project primarily aimed to develop precise models for simulating the impact of solid and liquid particles on Wind Turbine Blades (WTBs), including accurate estimation of resulting damage and Leading Edge Erosion (LEE). With wind power's rapid growth, large wind turbine blades face the dual challenge of maintaining lift and countering airborne particles induced erosion. The erosion worsens surface roughness, impacting aerodynamic performance and structural integrity, leading to downtime and maintenance costs. The project aimed to address these issues by creating predictive models for particle impact erosion and optimizing materials during the design phase.
The MSCA Fellow addressed the research challenge by identifying the components needed and coupled the DEM/SPH methods for modelling solid/liquid particles with PD theory and implemented the solution to the logical architecture of the final software. This modeling approach brings together the unique capabilities of PD and DEM/SPH and has the potential to make use of the various contact laws, which allow the development and adjustment of relevant contact forces. This technique also allows to incorporate damping effects, friction, and intra-particle stiffness through DEM and fluid viscous effects through SPH into the simulations. The characteristics of the target material are described by the integrodifferential equations of the PD theory, which is the best-known technique for modeling solids with discontinuities, such as cracks. The proposed method has been used for modeling material failure of brittle and laminated targets after being validated and verified for the contact parameters during the impact process. The present model is successfully applied to model the LEE due to the impact of airborne particles on the leading edge of WTB. We performed a series of tests to determine how the particle size, impact angle, and impact velocity of the impinging particles alter the response of the leading edge coating system. Moreover, mass removal and the mean displacement of the target material points are reliably calculated using the hybrid PD-DEM/SPH method.
The MSCA Fellow addressed the research challenge by identifying the components needed and coupled the DEM/SPH methods for modelling solid/liquid particles with PD theory and implemented the solution to the logical architecture of the final software. This modeling approach brings together the unique capabilities of PD and DEM/SPH and has the potential to make use of the various contact laws, which allow the development and adjustment of relevant contact forces. This technique also allows to incorporate damping effects, friction, and intra-particle stiffness through DEM and fluid viscous effects through SPH into the simulations. The characteristics of the target material are described by the integrodifferential equations of the PD theory, which is the best-known technique for modeling solids with discontinuities, such as cracks. The proposed method has been used for modeling material failure of brittle and laminated targets after being validated and verified for the contact parameters during the impact process. The present model is successfully applied to model the LEE due to the impact of airborne particles on the leading edge of WTB. We performed a series of tests to determine how the particle size, impact angle, and impact velocity of the impinging particles alter the response of the leading edge coating system. Moreover, mass removal and the mean displacement of the target material points are reliably calculated using the hybrid PD-DEM/SPH method.
Throughout this fellowship, the research was organized into three distinct phases. The initial work package (WP1) focused on integrating DEM/SPH methods for modeling solid/liquid particles with PD theory. The primary goal was to implement this solution within the final software's logical architecture. Notable progress was achieved within WP1, marked by the development of a hybrid PD-DEM/SPH method. This accomplishment led to a conference presentation and the publication of a journal article titled "Hybrid PD-DEM approach for modeling surface erosion by particle impact" in the Computational Particle Mechanics journal. The developed model successfully predicts solid particle impact forces and resulting damage to the target material. The model's accuracy was validated and verified, showing agreement with experimental results in terms of damage patterns and material loss.
The Fellow presented their research on numerical modeling of wind turbine blade erosion caused by particle impact at the 9th World Congress on Particle Technology (WCPT9) in Madrid, Spain. WCPT9 is a premier international event for the particle and bulk technology field, endorsed by the World Assembly of Particle Technology. It offers a unique opportunity for networking and building professional connections with industry peers who share mutual goals.
Furthermore, the Fellow engaged in career development through courses and workshops offered by UEDIN IAD, enhancing skills in project management, effective collaborations, professional networking, presentation skills, and research funding applications.
The specific achievements of WP2 included the article, titled "PD-DEM hybrid approach for modelling leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades," which represents a significant milestone in the project. It has been drafted and submitted to Computational Particle Mechanics as part of WP2. Currently, the article is undergoing the review process. The study primarily aimed to model the impact of solid airborne particles on wind turbine blade leading edges to accurately assess impact forces and material damage. To achieve this, the particle-based hybrid Peridynamics-Discrete Element Method (PD-DEM) approach developed in WP1 was utilized. This approach underwent thorough testing and verification for material failure due to particle impacts. Several tests were conducted to analyze how particle size, impact angle, and impact velocity affected the response of the leading edge coating system.
WP3 builds on WP1 and WP2 achievements, validating the PD-DEM/SPH solver and exploring erosion mechanisms. Progress includes a draft titled "PD-SPH: a coupled approach for modeling wind turbine blade leading edge erosion" for rain droplet impact. The model employs PD for the blade structure and SPH for water droplets, enabling direct coupling, solving particle displacement, and using a repulsive force model for accurate fluid-structure interactions, encompassing deformation, fracture, and multiple particles.
The Fellow will participate in the upcoming "The VIII International Conference on Particle-Based Methods. Fundamentals and Applications (PARTICLES 2023)" in Milan, Italy, from October 9-11, 2023. This conference focuses on particle-based computational methods in engineering and applied sciences, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The Fellow's presentation titled “Coupled PD-SPH approach for modeling wind turbine blade leading edge erosion by rain droplet impacts” will be featured. Overall, the fellowship has yielded substantial progress in erosion modeling through productive collaborations, influential publications and presentations, and skill enhancement opportunities.
The Fellow presented their research on numerical modeling of wind turbine blade erosion caused by particle impact at the 9th World Congress on Particle Technology (WCPT9) in Madrid, Spain. WCPT9 is a premier international event for the particle and bulk technology field, endorsed by the World Assembly of Particle Technology. It offers a unique opportunity for networking and building professional connections with industry peers who share mutual goals.
Furthermore, the Fellow engaged in career development through courses and workshops offered by UEDIN IAD, enhancing skills in project management, effective collaborations, professional networking, presentation skills, and research funding applications.
The specific achievements of WP2 included the article, titled "PD-DEM hybrid approach for modelling leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades," which represents a significant milestone in the project. It has been drafted and submitted to Computational Particle Mechanics as part of WP2. Currently, the article is undergoing the review process. The study primarily aimed to model the impact of solid airborne particles on wind turbine blade leading edges to accurately assess impact forces and material damage. To achieve this, the particle-based hybrid Peridynamics-Discrete Element Method (PD-DEM) approach developed in WP1 was utilized. This approach underwent thorough testing and verification for material failure due to particle impacts. Several tests were conducted to analyze how particle size, impact angle, and impact velocity affected the response of the leading edge coating system.
WP3 builds on WP1 and WP2 achievements, validating the PD-DEM/SPH solver and exploring erosion mechanisms. Progress includes a draft titled "PD-SPH: a coupled approach for modeling wind turbine blade leading edge erosion" for rain droplet impact. The model employs PD for the blade structure and SPH for water droplets, enabling direct coupling, solving particle displacement, and using a repulsive force model for accurate fluid-structure interactions, encompassing deformation, fracture, and multiple particles.
The Fellow will participate in the upcoming "The VIII International Conference on Particle-Based Methods. Fundamentals and Applications (PARTICLES 2023)" in Milan, Italy, from October 9-11, 2023. This conference focuses on particle-based computational methods in engineering and applied sciences, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The Fellow's presentation titled “Coupled PD-SPH approach for modeling wind turbine blade leading edge erosion by rain droplet impacts” will be featured. Overall, the fellowship has yielded substantial progress in erosion modeling through productive collaborations, influential publications and presentations, and skill enhancement opportunities.
The MSCA fellowship provided an opportunity for the fellow to emerge as an independent research leader by introducing a novel erosion modeling approach. This period facilitated expertise development in multiscale erosion modeling, software engineering, and computational mechanics, while also nurturing adeptness in research leadership and management. Activities such as project leadership, student mentoring, academic engagement, proposal writing, and research presentation were instrumental in honing these skills.
Significant progress was achieved in theoretical innovation and software development, notably the creation of the Hybrid PD-DEM/SPH model. These achievements expanded research boundaries and transformed multi-physics erosion modeling caused by particle impact. The open-source solver framework developed has the capacity to reshape industry practices. These accomplishments effectively addressed industrial challenges in particle impact erosion, enhancing the researcher's reputation and increasing opportunities for future industrial funding.
Collaboration with the industrial partner, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (The-MTC), yielded improvements in practical blade erosion models and established an erosion modeling roadmap. This effort positively impacts wind energy cost reduction by preventing turbine failures and reducing downtime. Moreover, the project aligns seamlessly with the European Union's goal of attaining 240-450 GW of wind energy by 2050.
Significant progress was achieved in theoretical innovation and software development, notably the creation of the Hybrid PD-DEM/SPH model. These achievements expanded research boundaries and transformed multi-physics erosion modeling caused by particle impact. The open-source solver framework developed has the capacity to reshape industry practices. These accomplishments effectively addressed industrial challenges in particle impact erosion, enhancing the researcher's reputation and increasing opportunities for future industrial funding.
Collaboration with the industrial partner, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (The-MTC), yielded improvements in practical blade erosion models and established an erosion modeling roadmap. This effort positively impacts wind energy cost reduction by preventing turbine failures and reducing downtime. Moreover, the project aligns seamlessly with the European Union's goal of attaining 240-450 GW of wind energy by 2050.