Design of Experimental Procedure and Analysis Methods of Small Scale Wind Turbine Blades With Different Geometries

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman Alsultan ◽  
Andrew Ryan Block ◽  
Trevor James Burg ◽  
Joshua Neal Vriesman ◽  
R. S. Amano
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Experimental Procedure ◽  
Torque Generation ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
To Come

The renewable energy is a promising field, which shows a lot of potential for future energy solutions. The design of the blade shows a lot effects on the efficiency of the wind turbine, and the design parameters governs the performance characteristics. This paper addresses a number of innovative blade designs that was developed by alterations made to the existing conventional straight blade. These blades were extensively studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, and showed promising results, which was the motive behind this study. We are designing an experiment to study small scale wind turbines, which will enable us to gather data that will explain some differences in power and torque output. These steps will help us to come to a better understanding of some aerodynamic aspects that will impact the performance of each individual blade design. The comparing criteria for this study was the torque generation at the axes of rotation, which can be translated to several parameters, such as energy output, using some theoretical basis equations.

scholarly journals Simulation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Nanocomposites for Small Wind Turbine Blades

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 622
Author(s):  
Yasser Elhenawy ◽  
Yasser Fouad ◽  
Haykel Marouani ◽  
Mohamed Bassyouni
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Glass Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes

This study aims to evaluate the effect of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the performance of glass fiber (GF)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) for wind turbine blades. Support for theoretical blade movement of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs), simulation, and analysis were performed with the Ansys computer package to gain insight into the durability of polypropylene-chopped E-glass for application in turbine blades under aerodynamic, gravitational, and centrifugal loads. Typically, polymer nanocomposites are used for small-scale wind turbine systems, such as for residential applications. Mechanical and physical properties of material composites including tensile and melt flow indices were determined. Surface morphology of polypropylene-chopped E-glass fiber and functionalized MWCNTs nanocomposites showed good distribution of dispersed phase. The effect of fiber loading on the mechanical properties of the PP nanocomposites was investigated in order to obtain the optimum composite composition and processing conditions for manufacturing wind turbine blades. The results show that adding MWCNTs to glass fiber-reinforced PP composites has a substantial influence on deflection reduction and adding them to chopped-polypropylene E-glass has a significant effect on reducing the bias estimated by finite element analysis.

scholarly journals Probabilistic Design of Wind Turbine Blades with Treatment of Manufacturing Defects as Uncertainty Variables in a Framework

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trey W. Riddle ◽  
Jared W. Nelson ◽  
Douglas S. Cairns
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Probabilistic Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
State University ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Manufacturing Defects ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
Blade Failure

Abstract. Given that wind turbine blades are such large structures, the use of low-cost composite manufacturing processes and materials has been necessary for the industry to be cost competitive. Since these manufacturing methods can lead to inclusion of unwanted defects, potentially reducing blade life, the Blade Reliability Collaborative tasked the Montana State University Composites Group with assessing the effects of these defects. Utilizing the results of characterization and mechanical testing studies, probabilistic models were developed to assess the reliability of a wind blade with known defects. As such, defects were found to best be assessed as design parameters in a parametric probabilistic analysis allowing for establishment of a consistent framework to validate categorization and analysis. Monte Carlo simulations were found to adequately describe the probability of failure of composite blades with included defects. By treating defects as random variables, the approaches utilized indicate the level of conservation used in blade design may be reduced when considering fatigue. In turn, safety factors may be reduced as some of the uncertainty surrounding blade failure is reduced when analysed with application specific data. Overall, the results indicate that characterization of defects and reduction of design uncertainty is possible for wind turbine blades.

Investigation of performance of small wind turbine blades with winglets

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Kulak ◽  
Michal Lipian ◽  
Karol Zawadzki
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Performance Study ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficiency Increase ◽  
Energy Prosumers

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the results of the performance study of wind turbine blades equipped with winglets. An investigation focusses on small wind turbines (SWTs), where the winglets are recalled as one of the most promising concepts in terms of turbine efficiency increase. Design/methodology/approach To investigate a contribution of winglets to SWT aerodynamic efficiency, a wind tunnel experiment was performed at Lodz University of Technology. In parallel, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations campaign was conducted with the ANSYS CFX software to investigate appearing flow structures in greater detail. Findings The research indicates the potential behind the application of winglets in low Reynolds flow conditions, while the CFD study enables the identification of crucial regions influencing the flow structure in the most significant degree. Research limitations/implications As the global effect on a whole rotor is a result of a small-scale geometrical feature, it is important to localise unveiled phenomena and the mechanisms behind their generation. Practical implications Even the slightest efficiency improvement in a distributed generation installation can promote such a solution amongst energy prosumers and increase their independence from limited natural resources. Originality/value The winglet-equipped blades of SWTs provide an opportunity to increase the device performance with relatively low cost and ease of implementation.

Experimental study of particle dampers applied to wind turbine blades to reduce low-frequency sound emission

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. 71-82
Author(s):  
Braj Bhushan Prasad ◽  
Fabian Duvigneau ◽  
Daniel Juhre ◽  
Elmar Woschke
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Granular Material ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Sound Emission ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades

Sound emission from an onshore wind turbine is one of the significant hurdles to use wind energy to its full potential. The vibration caused by the generator is transmitted to the blades, which radiates the sound to the surrounding. The purpose of this experimental study is to present a passive vibration reduction concept, which is based on the high damping properties of granular materials. The efficiency of this concept will be investigated using a laser scanning vibrometer device. For the experimental purpose in the laboratory, small-scale replicas inspired by the original configurations are used as reference geometries for the wind turbine generator and the blades. Vibrations of the prototype, with and without granular material filling, will be determined and compared with each other. The influence of the amount of granular material inside the structure is also investigated. Apart from this, different types of granular filling are examined with respect to their efficiency in reducing the amplitude of vibration of the structure while being as light as possible in order to design a lightweight solution, which increases the overall mass of the wind turbine marginally.

Performance Effects of Leading Edge Tubercles on the NREL Phase VI Wind Turbine Blade

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giada Abate ◽  
Dimitri N. Mavris ◽  
Lakshmi N. Sankar
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Variable Nature ◽  
Performance Effects ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Nrel Phase Vi ◽  
Positive Effect

Several studies on wind energy have been conducted to find possible solutions to power issues related to the variable nature of the wind. One of the most promising seems to be the application of sinusoidal modifications (tubercles) on the leading edge of wind turbine blades. In the present work, a systematic study on the effects of different tubercle configurations on NREL phase VI wind turbine performance is conducted. A design of experiments is used to generate blades with different tubercle amplitude and wavelength that are then simulated by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. The resulting power and annual energy production (AEP) are compared with the baseline values noticing a positive effect of tubercles on the power at high wind speeds.

scholarly journals Design and Manufacture of 1kW Wind Turbine Blades

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-196
Author(s):  
Fana Filli ◽  
Anwar M Mahmud ◽  
Mulu Bayray ◽  
Meseret Tesfay ◽  
Petros Gebray
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Twist Angle ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Alternative Energy Sources ◽  
Resin Catalyst ◽  
Design And Manufacture

To meet sustainable development goals and address concerns on climate change, much of the world's energy demand is expected to be delivered from clean alternative energy sources. Small-scale wind turbines have proven to be applicable for off-grid electrification. The objective of this study is to present the details on the design and manufacture of a 1 kW wind turbine blade for specified conditions. Blade element moment theory is adopted in the design of the geometry of the blade. Accordingly, the aerodynamic analysis on NACA 64A410 airfoil resulted in a blade radius of 1.95m, an overall twist angle of 31°, and a gradually tapering chord length of 0.062m at the root and 0.247m at the tip of the blade. Then, the wind turbine blades are manufactured from fiberglass (mat350g), resin, catalyst, and gelcoat.  Experimental results reveal the wind turbine blades started producing power at a cut-in wind speed of 3m/s. The maximum power achieved during the testing process was 900W at a hub wind velocity of 9m/s. This is lower than the expected 1000W theoretical power output due to not perfect workmanship in the manufacture of the wind turbine blades. This study will help in building local manufacturing facilities and enhance rural electrification through off-grid technologies.

Lab-Scale Wind Tunnel Experiment Test of Wind Turbine Blades for Performance Evaluation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Sang Moon ◽  
Sung Soo Park ◽  
Sung Ho Yu ◽  
Sangkyun Kang ◽  
Jang-Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiment ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Scale Experiment ◽  
Blade Model

Abstract This study evaluates the performance of a HAWT blade model using the lab-scale wind tunnel experiment. The small-scale wind turbine blade model has been designed based on the newly developed airfoil, KA2. A 3-blade rotor, based on the blade model, is tested using the digital wind tunnel. The performance is estimated by measuring the rotor-induced shaft torque. To estimate the performance properly, two different methods have been used depending on the blade rotation speed. Test results are compared with the theoretical estimation by BEM. This study provides the methodology to the performance test of wind turbine blades using lab-scale experiment. Moreover, results represent the applicability of the KA2 airfoil to wind turbine blades.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document