Blade Leading Edge Erosion Program (BLEEP) - Numerical Modelling

In response to the growing concerns over blade leading edge erosion and its impact on the operational performance and asset integrity of offshore wind farms, the ORE Catapult has commissioned BLEEP (Blade Leading Edge Erosion Programme). The programme consists of four (4) distinct work packages (WP) that will provide knowledge, infrastructure, products and technical expertise to reduce the levelised cost of energy impact of LEE.

The objective of this procurement exercise is to secure numerical modelling expertise to support the pilot study.

Numerical modelling approaches are required to investigate the effect of changes in the rig design and operation (e.g. arm length/shape, sample size/shape, tip speed, containment) on the impact characteristics of the water droplets striking the test sample (parameter study). The pilot test rig will be limited in size and functionality; given that the final ORE Catapult rig is expected to be larger in design, numerical modelling is regarded as a suitable approach to explore changes in the various design parameters out with the functionality of the pilot rig.

In addition, numerical modelling is required to investigate the impact characteristics of rain droplets striking the leading edges of operational offshore wind turbines (e.g. velocity, angle, location and strike rate at location) and how to replicate these in a whirling arm rain erosion test rig (real world conditions study). Note – this may require use of the test rig model developed for the parameter study.