The Effect of Cone Angle on the Aerodynamic Performance and Noise Pollution of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.66224/masm.5.3.403.
Abstract
Noise pollution, particularly the low-frequency noise generated by wind turbines, is recognized as an environmental challenge that may have adverse effects on human health. In this study, the effect of blade cone angle (0°–10°) on the low-frequency noise of a horizontal-axis wind turbine was investigated. To this end, the flow field around the turbine was first simulated for wind speeds ranging from 5 to 10 m/s using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations coupled with the Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model. Subsequently, the turbine noise, generated by sources located on and around the blades, was predicted using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW–H) equation. The results showed that varying the blade cone angle from 0° to 10° changed the turbine power output by less than 5%; however, it had a significant influence on the propagation of low-frequency noise. It was also found that at a blade cone angle of 5°, the turbine not only achieved higher power output but also exhibited a lower peak sound pressure level than the planar turbine (0° blade cone angle 0°).

Keywords


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Volume 5, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 403-420

  • Receive Date 07 August 2026
  • Revise Date 14 August 2026
  • Accept Date 18 August 2026