Wind turbine blade (WTB) leading edge erosion (LEE) are known to be directly inflicted by the intense high impact of the rain droplets heating the surface at high centrifugal speed of the moving turbine blade. If one can measure the rain volume per unit time and integrated over the heavy rain duration, the intensity of rain impact at the lengthwise position can be correlated with the known turbine blade rotational speed.
Measurements of wind turbine blade erosion rate in correlation with cumulative rain intensity can provide useful data for possible improvements of the manufacturing processes and protection coating engineering.
AVANTE Rain Impact Cumulative Sensor System includes the following sensors and measurements:
- Rain impact intensity measurement:
- Static rain drop intensity (“Rain Volume Per Unit Time”)
- Dynamic (turbine velocity enhanced from center to end) rain drop intensity
- Rain impact intensity in time domain
- Windmill blade rpm vs rain intensity (“Rain Volume Per Unit Time” * “Blade Speed”)
Rain impact intensity measurement includes the “integrated rain volume per unit time” *” blade speed at specific location”. The cumulative digital data provides quantitative correlation with the degree of erosion measured by the rate and total rotor blade reduction.
AVANTE Rain Impact Cumulative Sensor System measurement parameters are illustrated above. The enclosure is rated for IP67 with over 30 years protection with the AIT FLUOROSEAL® PVDF top coating.