Recently, utilizing wind power has increased thanks to its cleanness, cheapness, and wide availability. In many countries, the dependency on wind power has become enormous and vital in industry. Consequently, the improvement of the wind turbine's aerodynamic performance is a crucial issue according to Egypt Vision 2030 for using new and renewable energy resources. Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are an appropriate solution in low-wind speed areas owing to their small size and ease of manufacturing. This paper presents a qualitative and quantitative comparative analysis of the aerodynamic performance of various low-Reynolds number airfoils of a small-scale, three-straight-bladed H-rotor vertical-axis wind turbine. The examined airfoils are NACA0021 (as a reference model), NACA6712, Eppler474, S1210, S1048, and DU-06-W-200 at tip-speed ratios (TSRs) ranging from 1.2 to 4.0. For the chosen airfoils, the maximum power coefficient and its corresponding tip-speed ratio were studied. ANSYS Fluent was used to execute 2D CFD simulations using the SST-k-ω turbulence model to solve Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations. The maximum power coefficient of the reference model, NACA0021, was approximately 0.3263 at TSR = 2.63. The results revealed that the NACA6712 airfoil possessed the best aerodynamic performance at low tip-speed ratios (from 1.2 to 2.4). It experienced a percentage improvement in power coefficient of about 12% at TSR = 2.037 relative to the reference model. In addition, the Eppler474 airfoil performed efficiently for almost all TSRs' ranges, specifically high TSRs. Its power coefficient was enhanced by about 9% at TSR = 3.0 relative to the reference model.
 
Special Issue of AEIC 2024 (Mechanical & Chemical and Material Engineering  Session)