Finite element based lifetime predictions of wind turbine blade coatings

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

T.W. Hamers Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

Lars Pilgaard Mikkelsel Technical University of Denmark (DTU) (mentor)
J. J.E. Teuwen Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies (mentor)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2022 Tristan Hamers
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Published Date

16-08-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Operating turbines suffering from leading edge erosion (LEE) experience significant (up to 5%) annual energy production (AEP) loss and require expensive maintenance campaigns. Evaluation of state-of-the-art coating systems relies on rain erosion testing (RET) with no accepted method for the computational evaluation of the coatings lifetime. In this work, the computation framework for rain erosion developed in the DURALEDGE research project of DTU Wind Energy is subjected to analyses and used for the comparison of erosion performance of four novel leading-edge coating systems. Improvements for the computation workflow are proposed and implemented into the workflow. Furthermore, relevant conclusions are drawn linking the material’s visco-elastic properties to erosion performance.