Articles | Volume 11, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1971-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1971-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Jun 2026
Research article |
| 04 Jun 2026
| 04 Jun 2026
Vortex generator design for unsteady flow separation control and dynamic stall suppression on pitching thick airfoils
Wind Energy, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS Delft, the Netherlands
Wind Energy, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS Delft, the Netherlands
Daniele Ragni
Wind Energy, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS Delft, the Netherlands
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Short summary
Vortex generators (VGs) are being used to prevent flow separation and stall on wind turbine blades. Optimal VG designs are chosen from steady investigations, assuming similar separation control characteristics between steady and unsteady conditions. Surface pressure measurements on a thick pitching airfoil with VGs show that VGs larger than the optimal steady size and rectangular VGs instead of the common triangular VGs must be used to consistently prevent unsteady flow separation and dynamic stall.
Vortex generators (VGs) are being used to prevent flow separation and stall on wind turbine...
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