Abstract
This study utilizes the large eddy simulation model (LES) and a synthetic method based on the Fourier technique called consistent discrete random flow generation (CDRFG) to analyze the peak aerodynamic loads on heliostats due to the atmospheric boundary layer. With the CDRFG technique, key flow parameters, including mean velocity profile, turbulent intensities, integral length scales, and turbulent spectra generated in wind tunnels, can be replicated while also satisfying the divergence-free condition. A three-facet heliostat with an elevation angle of α = 45 deg and the rear aligned to the inflow was analyzed. The heliostat behaves like a lifting surface in this orientation, accentuating the aerodynamic effect. The methodology proposed in this study can accurately reproduce flow statistics and predict the peak loads. Compared to experimental data, differences of 2.62% for drag, 7.43% for lift, and 11.0% for overturning were observed. Furthermore, the simulation reveals the generation of wingtip vortices on the sides of the heliostat, which contribute to the aerodynamic load. Overall, this technique has been demonstrated to be effective in replicating the atmospheric boundary layer and predicting the aerodynamic coefficients of heliostats.
References
1.
Slootweg
, M.
, Craig
, K. J.
, and Meyer
, J. P.
, 2019
, “A Computational Approach to Simulate the Optical and Thermal Performance of a Novel Complex Geometry Solar Tower Molten Salt Cavity Receiver
,” Sol. Energy
, 187
(1
), pp. 13
–29
. 2.
IRENA
, 2012
, Renewable Energy Technologies: Cost Analysis Series Concentrating Solar Power Volume 1: Power Sector Issue 2/5 Acknowledgement
, IRENA
, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.3.
Jones
, S.
, Lumia
, R.
, Davenport
, R.
, Thomas
, R.
, Gorman
, D.
, Kolb
, G.
, and Donnelly
, M.
, 2007
, “Heliostat Cost Reduction Study,” Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA.4.
Pfahl
, A.
, Coventry
, J.
, Röger
, M.
, Wolfertstetter
, F.
, Vásquez-Arango
, J. F.
, Gross
, F.
, Arjomandi
, M.
, Schwarzbözl
, P.
, Geiger
, M.
, and Liedke
, P.
, 2017
, “Progress in Heliostat Development
,” Sol. Energy
, 152
(1
), pp. 3
–37
. 5.
Yuan
, J. K.
, Christian
, J. M.
, and Ho
, C. K.
, 2015
, “Compensation of Gravity Induced Heliostat Deflections for Improved Optical Performance
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 137
(2
), p. 021016
. 6.
Griffith
, D. T.
, Moya
, A. C.
, Ho
, C. K.
, and Hunter
, P. S.
, 2015
, “Structural Dynamics Testing and Analysis for Design Evaluation and Monitoring of Heliostats
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 137
(2
), p. 021010
. 7.
Vásquez-Arango
, J. F.
, Buck
, R.
, and Pitz-Paal
, R.
, 2015
, “Dynamic Properties of a Heliostat Structure Determined by Numerical and Experimental Modal Analysis
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 137
(5
), p. 051001
. 8.
Sosa-Flores
, P.
, Hinojosa
, J. F.
, and Duran
, R. L.
, 2022
, “Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of the Rear Geometry Influence on Aerodynamic Load Coefficients of Heliostats in Stow Position
,” Sol. Energy
, 241
(1
), pp. 130
–156
. 9.
Ji
, B.
, Xing
, P.
, Xu
, F.
, Xiong
, Q.
, Qiu
, P.
, Liu
, Q.
, and Tan
, D.
, 2023
, “Transient Evaluation of Wind-Induced Vibration Response of Heliostat Under Downburst
,” Energy Technol.
, 11
(8
), p. 2300156
. 10.
Emes
, M. J.
, Jafari
, A.
, Coventry
, J.
, and Arjomandi
, M.
, 2020
, “The Influence of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Turbulence on the Design Wind Loads and Cost of Heliostats
,” Sol. Energy
, 207
(1
), pp. 796
–812
. 11.
Hamanah
, W. M.
, Salem
, A. S.
, Abido
, M. A.
, Al-Sulaiman
, F. A.
, Qwbaiban
, A. M.
, and Habetler
, T. G.
, 2022
, “Modeling, Implementing, and Evaluating of an Advanced Dual Axis Heliostat Drive System
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 144
(4
), p. 041001
. 12.
Peterka
, J. A.
, Hosoya
, N.
, Bienkiewicz
, B.
, and Cermak
, J. E.
, 1986
, “Wind Load Reduction for Heliostats
,” Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO.13.
Peterka
, J. A.
, Bienkiewicz
, B.
, Hosoya
, N.
, and Cermak
, J. E.
, 1987
, “Heliostat Mean Wind Load Reduction
,” Energy
, 12
(3
), pp. 261
–267
. 14.
Peterka
, J. A.
, Tan
, Z.
, Cermak
, J. E.
, and Bienkiewicz
, B.
, 1989
, “Mean and Peak Wind Loads on Heliostats
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 111
(2
), pp. 158
–164
. 15.
Pfahl
, A.
, and Uhlemann
, H.
, 2011
, “Wind Loads on Heliostats and Photovoltaic Trackers at Various Reynolds Numbers
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 99
(9
), pp. 964
–968
. 16.
Xiong
, Q.
, Li
, Z.
, Luo
, H.
, and Zhao
, Z.
, 2019
, “Wind Tunnel Test Study on Wind Load Coefficients Variation Law of Heliostat Based on Uniform Design Method
,” Sol. Energy
, 184
(1
), pp. 209
–229
. 17.
Emes
, M. J.
, Jafari
, A.
, Ghanadi
, F.
, and Arjomandi
, M.
, 2019
, “Hinge and Overturning Moments Due to Unsteady Heliostat Pressure Distributions in a Turbulent Atmospheric Boundary Layer
,” Sol. Energy
, 193
(1
), pp. 604
–617
. 18.
Jafari
, A.
, Ghanadi
, F.
, Emes
, M. J.
, Arjomandi
, M.
, and Cazzolato
, B. S.
, 2019
, “Measurement of Unsteady Wind Loads in a Wind Tunnel: Scaling of Turbulence Spectra
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 193
(1
), p. 103955
. 19.
Jafari
, A.
, Ghanadi
, F.
, Arjomandi
, M.
, Emes
, M. J.
, and Cazzolato
, B. S.
, 2019
, “Correlating Turbulence Intensity and Length Scale With the Unsteady Lift Force on Flat Plates in an Atmospheric Boundary Layer Flow
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 189
(1
), pp. 218
–230
. 20.
Emes
, M. J.
, Jafari
, A.
, and Arjomandi
, M.
, 2022
, “A Feasibility Study on the Application of Mesh Grids for Heliostat Wind Load Reduction
,” Sol. Energy
, 240
(1
), pp. 121
–130
. 21.
Vasilopoulos
, K.
, Lekakis
, I.
, Sarris
, I. E.
, and Tsoutsanis
, P.
, 2021
, “Large Eddy Simulation of Dispersion of Hazardous Materials Released From a Fire Accident Around a Cubical Building
,” Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res.
, 28
(36
), pp. 50363
–50377
. 22.
Zaki
, A.
, and Sharma
, R.
, 2021
, “The Effect of External Airflows on Ventilation With a Rooftop Windcatcher
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 219
(1
), p. 104799
. 23.
Buffa
, E.
, Jacob
, J.
, and Sagaut
, P.
, 2021
, “Lattice-Boltzmann-Based Large-Eddy Simulation of High-Rise Building Aerodynamics With Inlet Turbulence Reconstruction
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 212
(1
), p. 104560
. 24.
Antonini
, E. G. A.
, Romero
, D. A.
, and Amon
, C. H.
, 2018
, “Analysis and Modifications of Turbulence Models for Wind Turbine Wake Simulations in Atmospheric Boundary Layers
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 140
(3
), p. 031007
. 25.
Astolfi
, D.
, Castellani
, F.
, and Terzi
, L.
, 2018
, “A Study of Wind Turbine Wakes in Complex Terrain Through RANS Simulation and SCADA Data
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 140
(3
), p. 031001
. 26.
Yang
, M.
, Zhi
, L.
, Liu
, H.
, Zhu
, Y.
, and Taylor
, R. A.
, 2022
, “Wind Load Similarity Relations for Parabolic Trough Collectors
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 145
(3
), p. 031002
. 27.
Abedi
, H.
, Nebenführ
, B.
, and Davidson
, L.
, 2022
, “Assessment of Wind Field Generation Methods on Predicted Wind Turbine Power Production Using a Free Vortex Filament Wake Approach
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 144
(2
), p. 021010
. 28.
Pratapa
, P. P.
, Nguyen
, H. H.
, and Manuel
, L.
, 2023
, “A Computational Model to Simulate Thunderstorm Downbursts for Wind Turbine Loads Analysis
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 145
(2
), p. 021002
. 29.
Blocken
, B.
, Stathopoulos
, T.
, and Carmeliet
, J.
, 2007
, “CFD Simulation of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Wall Function Problems
,” Atmos Environ
, 41
(2
), pp. 238
–252
. 30.
Parente
, A.
, Gorlé
, C.
, van Beeck
, J.
, and Benocci
, C.
, 2011
, “Improved K-ɛ Model and Wall Function Formulation for the RANS Simulation of ABL Flows
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 99
(4
), pp. 267
–278
. 31.
Cindori
, M.
, Juretić
, F.
, Kozmar
, H.
, and Džijan
, I.
, 2018
, “Steady RANS Model of the Homogeneous Atmospheric Boundary Layer
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 173
(1
), pp. 289
–301
. 32.
Morales Garza
, V. G.
, Sumner
, J.
, Nathan
, J.
, and Masson
, C.
, 2019
, “Evaluating the Accuracy of RANS Wind Flow Modeling Over Forested Terrain—Part 1: Canopy Model Validation
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 141
(4
), p. 041009
. 33.
Morales Garza
, V. G.
, Sumner
, J.
, Nathan
, J.
, and Masson
, C.
, 2019
, “Evaluating the Accuracy of RANS Wind Flow Modeling Over Forested Terrain. Part 2: Impact on Capacity Factor for Moderately Complex Topography
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 142
(2
), p. 021006
. 34.
Huang
, S. H.
, Li
, Q. S.
, and Wu
, J. R.
, 2010
, “A General Inflow Turbulence Generator for Large Eddy Simulation
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 98
(10
), pp. 600
–617
. 35.
Ji
, B.
, Lei
, W.
, and Xiong
, Q.
, 2022
, “An Inflow Turbulence Generation Method for Large Eddy Simulation and Its Application on a Standard High-Rise Building
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 226
(1
), p. 105048
. 36.
Yan
, B. W.
, and Li
, Q. S.
, 2015
, “Inflow Turbulence Generation Methods With Large Eddy Simulation for Wind Effects on Tall Buildings
,” Comput. Fluids
, 116
(1
), pp. 158
–175
. 37.
Yoshikawa
, M.
, and Tamura
, T.
, 2012
, “LES for Wind Load Estimation by Unstructured Grid System
,” The Seventh International Colloquium on Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Applications (BBAA7)
, Shanghai, China
, Sept. 2–6
, pp. 1960
–1965
.38.
Asgari
, E.
, Saeedi
, M.
, and Etemadi
, M.
, 2022
, “Large-Eddy Simulation of a Developing Turbulent Boundary Layer Over a Wall-Mounted Hemisphere Under the Influence of a Surrounding Ditch: Flow Characteristics and Aerodynamic Forces
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 227
(1
), pp. 105047
. 39.
McMullan
, W. A.
, and Angelino
, M.
, 2022
, “The Effect of Tree Planting on Traffic Pollutant Dispersion in an Urban Street Canyon Using Large Eddy Simulation With a Recycling and Rescaling Inflow Generation Method
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 221
(1
), pp. 104877
. 40.
Melaku
, A. F.
, and Bitsuamlak
, G. T.
, 2021
, “A Divergence-Free Inflow Turbulence Generator Using Spectral Representation Method for Large-Eddy Simulation of ABL Flows
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 212
(1
), pp. 104580
. 41.
Lu
, C. L.
, Li
, Q. S.
, Huang
, S. H.
, Chen
, F. B.
, and Fu
, X. Y.
, 2012
, “Large Eddy Simulation of Wind Effects on a Long-Span Complex Roof Structure
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 100
(1
), pp. 1
–18
. 42.
Guichard
, R.
, 2019
, “Assessment of an Improved Random Flow Generation Method to Predict Unsteady Wind Pressures on an Isolated Building Using Large-Eddy Simulation
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 189
(1
), pp. 304
–313
. 43.
Chen
, W.
, and Zhu
, Z.
, 2020
, “Numerical Simulation of Wind Turbulence by DSRFG and Identification of the Aerodynamic Admittance of Bridge Decks
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 14
(1
), pp. 1515
–1535
. 44.
Huang
, S.
, Li
, R.
, and Li
, Q. S.
, 2013
, “Numerical Simulation on Fluid-Structure Interaction of Wind Around Super-Tall Building at High Reynolds Number Conditions
,” Struct. Eng. Mech.
, 46
(2
), pp. 197
–212
. 45.
Li
, Y. C.
, Cheng
, C. M.
, Lo
, Y. L.
, Fang
, F. M.
, and Zheng
, D.
, 2015
, “Simulation of Turbulent Flows Around a Prism in Suburban Terrain Inflow Based on Random Flow Generation Method Simulation
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 146
(1
), pp. 51
–58
. 46.
Aboshosha
, H.
, Elshaer
, A.
, Bitsuamlak
, G. T.
, and El Damatty
, A.
, 2015
, “Consistent Inflow Turbulence Generator for LES Evaluation of Wind-Induced Responses for Tall Buildings
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 142
(1
), pp. 198
–216
. 47.
Castro
, H. G.
, Paz
, R. R.
, Sonzogni
, V. E.
, Möller
, O.
, Signorelli
, J. W.
, Storti
, M. A.
, and Rosario
, A.
, 2011
, “Generation of Turbulent Inlet Velocity Conditions for Large Eddy Simulations
,” Comput. Mech.
, 30
(29
), pp. 2275
–2288
.48.
Vasaturo
, R.
, Kalkman
, I.
, Blocken
, B.
, and van Wesemael
, P. J. V.
, 2018
, “Large Eddy Simulation of the Neutral Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Performance Evaluation of Three Inflow Methods for Terrains with Different Roughness
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 173
(1
), pp. 241
–261
. 49.
Ricci
, M.
, Patruno
, L.
, Kalkman
, I.
, de Miranda
, S.
, and Blocken
, B.
, 2018
, “Towards LES as a Design Tool: Wind Loads Assessment on a High-Rise Building
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 180
(1
), pp. 1
–18
. 50.
Zhu
, Z.
, and Deng
, Y.
, 2018
, “Investigation Into Effects of Turbulence Integral Length on Wind Loads Acting on Tall Buildings Using Large Eddy Simulation
,” J. Southwest Jiaotong Univ.
, 53
(8
), pp. 508
–516
. 51.
Marais
, M. D.
, Craig
, K. J.
, and Meyer
, J. P
., 2015
, “Computational Flow Optimization of Heliostat Aspect Ratio for Wind Direction and Elevation Angle
,” Energy Procedia
, 69
(1
), pp. 148
–157
.52.
Poulain
, P. E.
, Craig
, K. J.
, and Meyer
, J. P
., 2016
, “Influence of the Gap Size on the Wind Loading on Heliostats
,” AIP Conf. Proc.
, 1734
(1
), p. 020019
.53.
Mammar
, M.
, Djouimaa
, S.
, Gärtner
, U.
, and Hamidat
, A.
, 2018
, “Wind Loads on Heliostats of Various Column Heights: An Experimental Study
,” Energy
, 143
(1
), pp. 867
–880
. 54.
Fadlallah
, S. O.
, Anderson
, T. N.
, and Nates
, R. J.
, 2021
, “Flow Behavior and Aerodynamic Loading on a Stand-Alone Heliostat: Wind Incidence Effect
,” Arabian J. Sci. Eng.
, 46
(8
), pp. 7303
–7321
. 55.
Durán
, R. L.
, Hinojosa
, J. F.
, and Sosa-Flores
, P.
, 2022
, “A Novel Approach for Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Mean Wind Loads on Heliostats
,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
, 144
(6
), pp. 061008
. 56.
Boddupalli
, N.
, Goenka
, V.
, and Chandra
, L
., 2017
, “Fluid Flow Analysis Behind Heliostat Using Les and RANS: A Step Towards Optimized Field Design in Desert Regions
,” AIP Conf. Proc.
, 1850
(1
), p. 110001
.57.
Wolmarans
, J. R.
, and Craig
, K. J
., 2019
, “Two-Way Fluid-Structure Interaction of Medium-Sized Heliostats
,” AIP Conf. Proc.
, 2126
(1
), p. 030064
.58.
Wolmarans
, J. R.
, and Craig
, K. J.
, 2019
, “One-Way Fluid-Structure Interaction of a Medium-Sized Heliostat Using Scale-Resolving CFD Simulation
,” Sol. Energy
, 191
(1
), pp. 84
–99
. 59.
Poulain
, P.
, Craig
, K. J.
, and Meyer
, J. P.
, 2021
, “Transient Simulation of an Atmospheric Boundary Layer Flow Past a Heliostat Using the Scale-Adaptive Simulation Turbulence Model
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 218
(1
), pp. 104740
. 60.
Zhiyin
, Y.
, 2015
, “Large-Eddy Simulation: Past, Present and the Future
,” Chin. J. Aeronaut.
, 28
(1
), pp. 11
–24
. 61.
ANSYS
, 2013
, ANSYS Fluent Users Guide
, ANSYS Inc.
, Canonsburg, PA
.62.
Strasser
, W.
, Kacinski
, R.
, Wilson
, D.
, Petrov
, V.
, and Manera
, A.
, 2023
, “It's About Time: Jet Interactions in an Asymmetrical Plenum
,” Nucl. Technol.
, 0
(0
), pp. 1
–27
. 63.
Germano
, M.
, Piomelli
, U.
, Moin
, P.
, and Cabot
, W. H.
, 1991
, “A Dynamic Subgrid-Scale Eddy Viscosity Model
,” Phys. Fluids A
, 3
(7
), pp. 1760
–1765
. 64.
Lilly
, D. K.
, 1992
, “A Proposed Modification of the Germano Subgrid-Scale Closure Method
,” Phys. Fluids A
, 4
(3
), pp. 633
–635
. 65.
Anderson
, J. D.
, 1989
, Introduction to Flight
, McGraw-Hill
, New York
.66.
Abu-Zidan
, Y.
, Mendis
, P.
, and Gunawardena
, T.
, 2021
, “Optimizing the Computational Domain Size in CFD Simulations of Tall Buildings
,” Heliyon
, 7
(4
), p. e06723
. 67.
Franke
, J.
, Hellsten
, A.
, Schlunzen
, H.
, and Carissimo
, B.
, 2007
, Best Practice Guideline for the CFD Simulation of Flows in the Urban Environment
, Brussels
, Belgium
.68.
Wang
, Y.
, and Chen
, X.
, 2020
, “Simulation of Approaching Boundary Layer Flow and Wind Loads on High-Rise Buildings by Wall-Modeled LES
,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn.
, 207
(1
), pp. 104410
. 69.
Welch
, P. D.
, 1967
, “The Use of Fast Fourier Transform for the Estimation of Power Spectra: A Method Based on Time Averaging Over Short, Modified Periodograms
,” IEEE Trans. Audio Electroacoust.
, 15
(2
), pp. 70
–73
. 70.
Raymer
, D. P.
, 1989
, Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach
, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
, Washington, D.C.
71.
Zhan
, J. M.
, Li
, Y. T.
, Wai
, W. H. O.
, and Hu
, W. Q.
, 2019
, “Comparison Between the Q Criterion and Rortex in the Application of an In-Stream Structure
,” Phys. Fluids
, 31
(12
), pp. 121701
. Copyright © 2024 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.
