scholarly journals Influence of the Solidity Ratio on the Small Wind Turbine Aerodynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 242 ◽  
pp. 03006
Author(s):  
Karol Zawadzki ◽  
Wojciech Śmiechowicz ◽  
Małgorzata Stępień ◽  
Anna Baszczyńska ◽  
Michał Tarkowski
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Aerodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Small Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbine Aerodynamics ◽  
Solidity Ratio ◽  
Optimal Value ◽  
Bladed Rotor ◽  
Lower Form

Increasing popularity of individualised electricity generation from wind by prosumers creates a strong demand for profitable and highly efficient small wind turbines. This paper investigates the influence of rotor blade solidity parameter on device efficiency in hope of determining its optimal value as a part of the development process of the GUST small wind turbine. The study involved experimental analysis in the wind tunnel and numerical simulations performed in QBlade software. Different solidities of the rotor were achieved by alteration of (1) number of blades and (2) chord distribution along the blade span. The increase of rotor solidity resulted in augmentation of the aerodynamic efficiency in both approaches. The elongation of the chord by 33% in a 3-bladed rotor resulted in a bigger power coefficient increment than addition of a 4th blade with original chord distribution. Even though the solidity was the same, the 3-bladed rotor performed better, possibly due to lower form drag. The results emphasize the importance of the rotor solidity optimization during the small wind turbine rotor development and may significantly influence overall power output.

Improvement of aerodynamic performance of a small wind turbine

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yassine Khalil ◽  
Lhoussaine Tenghiri ◽  
Farid Abdi ◽  
Anas Bentamy
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Spline Approximation ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Small Wind Turbine ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Turbine Design

The aerodynamic performance of horizontal-axis wind turbines is strongly dependent on many parameters, among which the airfoil type and the blade geometry (mainly defined by the chord and the twist distributions) are considered the most critical ones. In this article, an approach giving the appropriate airfoil for a small wind turbine design was conducted by performing an aerodynamic improvement of the blade’s airfoil. First, a preliminary design of the rotor blades of a small wind turbine (11 kW) was conducted using the small wind turbine rotor design code. This preliminary approach was done for different airfoils, and it resulted in a maximum power coefficient of 0.40. Then, the aerodynamic efficiency of the wind turbine was improved by modifying the geometry of the airfoils. This technique targets the optimization of the lift-to-drag ratio (Cl/Cd) of the airfoil within a range of angles of attack. Also, a non-uniform rational B-spline approximation of the airfoil was adopted in order to reduce the number of the design variables of the optimization. This methodology determined the best airfoil for the design of a small wind turbine, and it gave an improved power coefficient of 0.42.

scholarly journals Numerically and Experimentally Verified Design of a Small Wind Turbine with Injection Molded Blade

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 776
Author(s):  
Byunghui Kim ◽  
Sang-June Park ◽  
Seokyoung Ahn ◽  
Myung-Gon Kim ◽  
Hyung-Gun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Small Wind Turbine ◽  
Verification Methods ◽  
Wind Power Systems

Although mega-watt class onshore and offshore wind power systems are used to generate power due to their cost-effectiveness, small wind power systems are important for household usages. Researchers have focused on aerodynamic characteristics as a conceptual design from their previous studies on Archimedes spiral wind turbines. Here, we verified the design of a small wind turbine AWM-750D (100 W capacity) via both numerical simulation and experimentation. We used commercial code ANSYS CFX for numerical simulation and compared turbulence models and surface roughness for determining the performance. To obtain reliable and robust blades, we analyzed the effective manufacturing method with Moldflow. Through a test with an open-suction type atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel, we varied wind speed from 4.0 m/s to the rated value of 12.5 m/s and obtained 106 W, equivalent to a power coefficient of 0.205. In addition, we compared the numerical and experimental power vs. rotational speed and found the former is 6.5% lower than the latter. In this study, we proved that numerical simulations can act as design verification methods to predict wind turbine performances and reliable manufacturing. Through our research, we provided the prototype of a small wind turbine with 100 W to act as an efficient electric power supplier for households and also the stable manufacturing process for complex spiral blades using injection molding.

Development of a Scaled Rotor Blade for Tank Tests of Floating Wind Turbine Systems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Schünemann ◽  
Timo Zwisele ◽  
Frank Adam ◽  
Uwe Ritschel
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Model Scale ◽  
Floating Wind Turbine ◽  
Hydrodynamic Effects ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor

Floating wind turbine systems will play an important role for a sustainable energy supply in the future. The dynamic behavior of such systems is governed by strong couplings of aerodynamic, structural mechanic and hydrodynamic effects. To examine these effects scaled tank tests are an inevitable part of the design process of floating wind turbine systems. Normally Froude scaling is used in tank tests. However, using Froude scaling also for the wind turbine rotor will lead to wrong aerodynamic loads compared to the full-scale turbine. Therefore the paper provides a detailed description of designing a modified scaled rotor blade mitigating this problem. Thereby a focus is set on preserving the tip speed ratio of the full scale turbine, keeping the thrust force behavior of the full scale rotor also in model scale and additionally maintaining the power coefficient between full scale and model scale. This is achieved by completely redesigning the original blade using a different airfoil. All steps of this redesign process are explained using the example of the generic DOWEC 6MW wind turbine. Calculations of aerodynamic coefficients are done with the software tools XFoil and AirfoilPrep and the resulting thrust and power coefficients are obtained by running several simulations with the software AeroDyn.

Four Decades of Research Into the Augmentation Techniques of Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Alom ◽  
Ujjwal K. Saha
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
High Rotational Speed ◽  
Savonius Rotor ◽  
Augmentation Techniques ◽  
Savonius Wind Turbine ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor

The design and development of wind turbines is increasing throughout the world to offer electricity without paying much to the global warming. The Savonius wind turbine rotor, or simply the Savonius rotor, is a drag-based device that has a relatively low efficiency. A high negative torque produced by the returning blade is a major drawback of this rotor. Despite having a low efficiency, its design simplicity, low cost, easy installation, good starting ability, relatively low operating speed, and independency to wind direction are its main rewards. With the goal of improving its power coefficient (CP), a considerable amount of investigation has been reported in the past few decades, where various design modifications are made by altering the influencing parameters. Concurrently, various augmentation techniques have also been used to improve the rotor performance. Such augmenters reduce the negative torque and improve the self-starting capability while maintaining a high rotational speed of the rotor. The CP of the conventional Savonius rotors lie in the range of 0.12–0.18, however, with the use of augmenters, it can reach up to 0.52 with added design complexity. This paper attempts to give an overview of the various augmentation techniques used in Savonius rotor over the last four decades. Some of the key findings with the use of these techniques have been addressed and makes an attempt to highlight the future direction of research.

Numerical Analysis of a Rooftop Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Cristobal Uzarraga-Rodriguez ◽  
A. Gallegos-Mun˜oz ◽  
J. Manuel Riesco A´vila
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Sliding Mesh ◽  
Mesh Model

A numerical analysis of a rooftop vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) for applications in urban area is presented. The numerical simulations were developed to study the flow field through the turbine rotor to analyze the aerodynamic performance characteristics of the device. Three different blade numbers of wind turbine are studied, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Each one of the models was built in a 3D computational model. The effects generated in the performance of turbines by the numbers of blades are considered. A Sliding Mesh Model (SMM) capability was used to present the dimensionless form of coefficient power and coefficient moment of the wind turbine as a function of the wind velocity and the rotor rotational speed. The numerical study was developed in CFD using FLUENT®. The results show the aerodynamic performance for each configuration of wind turbine rotor. In the cases of Rooftop rotor the power coefficient increases as the blade number increases, while in the case of Savonius rotor the power coefficient decrease as the blades number increases.

Design of a wind turbine rotor for maximum aerodynamic efficiency

Wind Energy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeppe Johansen ◽  
Helge Aa. Madsen ◽  
Mac Gaunaa ◽  
Christian Bak ◽  
Niels N. Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Aerodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor

scholarly journals Comparative Numerical Analysis on Vertical Wind Turbine Rotor Pattern of Bach and Benesh Type

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanel Dorel Scheaua
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Classical Model ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Torque Coefficient ◽  
Bladed Rotor

In this work, 3D models in classic configuration of Bach and Benesh rotor type, as well as models with modified blade pattern geometry were analyzed from the air circulation point of view inside the rotor enclosure in order to identify the operating parameters differences according to rotor geometric modified configuration. Constructive design aspects are presented, as well as results obtained from the virtual model analysis in terms of circulation velocity and pressure values which enhance rotor operation related to torque and power coefficients. The rotors design pattern is made according to previous results obtained by different researchers who have performed numerical analysis on virtual models and tests on the experimental rotor models using the wind tunnel. The constructive solutions are describing two-bladed rotor models, in four new designed constructive variants and analyzed using ANSYS CFX. The air velocity specific values, static and total pressure recorded at the rotor blade level are highlighted, that influence the obtaining of rotor shaft torque and power. Also torque coefficient (CT) and power coefficient (CP) values according with specific values of tip speed ratio (TSR) are presented for each analyzed case. The analysis results show higher power coefficient values for analyzed Bach V2 and Benesh V2 rotor modified models compared to the classic Bach and Benesh models for 0.3 TSR of 0.11–012 CP, 0.4 TSR of 0.18 CP (Benesh V2 model) and 0.27 CP at 0.6 TSR (Bach V2). The resulted values confirm that Benesh V2 model offers higher CP up to 5% at TSR 0.3, 2% at TSR 0.6 and 3% at TSR 0.4 compared to the Benesh classical model. The Bach V2 model offers 4% higher CP compared to the classic Bach model at TSR 0.6. Based on these results it is intended the further analytical and experimental research in order to obtain optimal rotor pattern.

scholarly journals Catchment Based Aerodynamic Performance Analysis of Small Wind Turbine Using a Single Blade Concept for a Low Cost of Energy

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5838
Author(s):  
Hailay Kiros Kelele ◽  
Torbjørn Kirstian Nielsen ◽  
Lars Froyd ◽  
Mulu Bayray Kahsay
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Wind Condition ◽  
Small Wind Turbine ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Wind Potential

For low and medium wind conditions, there is a possibility to harness maximum wind potential reducing the cost of energy by employing catchment-based wind turbine designs. This paper aims to study catchment-based small wind turbine aerodynamic performance for improved efficiency and reduced cost of energy. Hence, design parameters are considered based on specific conditions within a catchment area. The bins and statistical methods implemented with Weibull distribution of wind data for selected sites to characterize the wind conditions and a weighted average method proposed to create representative wind conditions implementing a single blade concept. The blade element method was applied using Matlab code (version R2017a, MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, US) for aerodynamic design and analysis, and computational fluid dynamics employed using ANSYS—Fluent (version 18.1, ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) for validation. The performance of the designed blade is evaluated based on annual energy production, capacity factor and power coefficient. Then, for site-specific wind conditions, yearly energy production, and relative cost of energy are examined against rated power. Appropriate rated power for a low cost of energy identified and performance measures evaluated for each site. As a result, a maximum power coefficient of around 51.8% achieved at a design wind speed of 10 m/s, and higher capacity factors of 28% and 50.9% respectively attained for the low and high wind conditions at the proposed rated powers. Therefore, for different wind condition sites, enhanced performance at a low cost of energy could be achieved using a single blade concept at properly selected rated powers employing suitable design conditions and procedures.

Strategic Blade Shape Optimization for Aerodynamic Performance Improvement of Wind Turbines

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youjin Kim ◽  
Ali Al-Abadi ◽  
Antonio Delgado
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Blade Shape ◽  
Improved Design ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor

This study introduces strategic methods for improving the aerodynamic performance of wind turbines. It was completed by combining different optimization methods for each part of the wind turbine rotor. The chord length and pitch angle are optimized by a torque-matched method (TMASO), whereas the airfoil shape is optimized by the genetic algorithm (GA). The TMASO is implemented to produce an improved design of a reference turbine (NREL UAE Phase V). The GA is operated to generate a novel airfoil design that is evaluated by automatic interfacing for the highest gliding ratio (GR). The adopted method produces an optimized wind turbine with an 11% increase of power coefficient (Cp) with 30% less of the corresponding tip speed ratio (TSR). Furthermore, the optimized wind turbine shows reduced tip loss effect.

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