Airfoil shape optimization for mitigating adverse effects of icing in wind turbines

Abstract

This research focuses on improving blade performance to enhance wind turbine efficiency in environments affected by icing. Ice accretion on wind turbine blades leads to a reduction in lift, an increase in drag, destabilizing pitching moments, and consequently, severe power losses. In this context, new-generation airfoil profiles have been developed that enhance resistance to icing while preserving aerodynamic efficiency. Blade geometries were defined using the PARSEC parameterization method, and multiple DU and NACA-series profiles were investigated. Parameters such as leading-edge radius and the thickness at 10% chord length, which strongly affect icing sensitivity, were selected as the primary design variables in the optimization. Aerodynamic analyses were conducted using the XFOIL panel method to evaluate the lift (cl), drag (cd), and moment (cm) coefficients. The optimization was carried out with the Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) algorithm, where the physical thickness at 10% chord (t0.1c) was chosen as the objective function to be maximized. Constraints included maintaining the lift-to-drag ratio (cl / cd) above its baseline value, en suring that cm ≤ 0 while not decreasing below its baseline value, and satisfying structural constraints based on the lift-to-inertia ratio (cl / I). The results show that the optimized profiles exhibit lower droplet collection efficiency under icing conditions while preserving the aerodynamic characteristics of the standard airfoils. This approach therefore contributes to the development of reliable and efficient blade designs for turbines operating in icing-prone regions.