Influence of trailing edge serration in the wake characteristics of S809 airfoil

The wake behavior of extended flat plate and serration in the trailing edge of S809 airfoil is presented in this experimental study using wind tunnel testing. The clustering of wind turbines in wind parks has recently been a pressing issue, due to the expected increase in power output and deciding the number of wind turbines to be installed. One of the prominent factors which influence the performance of the subsequent wind turbines is the downstream wake characteristics. A series of wind tunnel investigations were performed to assess the downstream near wake characteristics of the S809 airfoil at various angles of attack corresponding to the Reynolds Number Re = 2.02 x 105. These experimental results revealed the complex nature of the downstream near wake characteristics featuring substantial asymmetry arising out of the incoherent flow separations prevailing over the suction and the pressure sides of the airfoil. Based on the experimental results, it is found that the wake width and the downstream velocity ratio decrease with an increase in the angle of attack. Nonetheless, the dissipation length and downstream velocity ratio increases proportionally in the downstream direction. Additionally, attempts were made to understand the physical nature of the near wake characteristics at 1C, 2C, 3C and 4C downstream locations.