Wall Correction Model for Wind Tunnels with Open Test Section

In the paper we present a correction model for wall interference on rotors of wind turbines or propellers in wind tunnels. The model, which is based on a one-dimensional momentum approach, is validated against results from Navier–Stokes computations using a generalized actuator disc principle. In the model the exchange of axial momentumbetweenthetunnelandtheambientroomisrepresentedbyasimpleformula,derivedfromactuatordisc computations. The correction model is validated against Navier–Stokes computations of the flow about a wind turbine rotor. Generally, the corrections from the model are in very good agreement with the computations, demonstrating that one-dimensional momentum theory is a reliable way of predicting corrections for wall interference in wind tunnels with closed as well as open cross sections.