Experimental investigations and aerodynamic shape optimization of small horizontal axis wind turbine blades

Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
S Prakash

This paper aims to optimize and investigate the small horizontal axis wind turbine blades at low wind speed. The objective of this research work is to explain the design method based on BEM theory for 0.2 m blade rotors with constant, variable and linear chord with twisted blade geometry. MATLAB and Xfoil programs were used for BEM principles and wind turbines with SG6043 airfoil. A numerical and experimental study was carried out to examine the impact of rotor solidity from 0.057 to 0.207 and the number of blades from 3 to 7 in this research work. The experimental blades were developed by using the 3D printing additive manufacturing technique. The investigation of the rotors has been done in an open wind tunnel, at wind speed from 2 to 8 m/s. The initial investigation range included tip speed ratios from 2 to 8, and angle of attacks from 2 to 20°. Later on these parameters were varied in Matlab and Xfoil software optimization and investigation of the power coefficient, blade geometry, number of blades and blade pitch angle. It was found that the rotor solidity 0.055 to 0.085 displayed better performances.

Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
◽  
S. Prakash ◽  

In this research work, the investigation and optimization of small horizontal axis wind turbine blade at low wind speed is pursued. The experimental blades were developed using the 3D printing additive manufacturing technique. The airfoils E210, NACA2412, S1223, SG6043, E216, NACA4415, SD7080, SD7033, S1210 and MAF were tested at the wind speed of 2-6 m/s. The airfoils and optimum blade geometry were investigated with the aid of the Xfoil software at Reynolds number of 100,000. The initial investigation range included tip speed ratios from 3 to 10, solidity from 0.0431 – 0.1181 and angle of attacks from 2o to 20o. Later on these parameters were varied in MATLAB and Xfoil software for optimization and investigation of the power coefficient, lift coefficient, drag coefficient and lift to drag ratio. The cut-in wind speed of the rotors was 2 and 2.5 m/s with the winglet-equipped blades and without winglets. It was found that the E210, SG6043, E216 NACA4415 and MAF airfoil displayed better performance than the NACA 2412, S1223, SD7080, S1210 & SD7003 for the geometry optimized for the operating conditions and manufacturing method described.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Bugała ◽  
Olga Roszyk

This paper presents the results of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the airflow for a 300 W horizontal axis wind turbine, using additional structural elements which modify the original shape of the rotor in the form of multi-shaped bowls which change the airflow distribution. A three-dimensional CAD model of the tested wind turbine was presented, with three variants subjected to simulation: a basic wind turbine without the element that modifies the airflow distribution, a turbine with a plano-convex bowl, and a turbine with a centrally convex bowl, with the hyperbolic disappearance of convexity as the radius of the rotor increases. The momentary value of wind speed, recorded at measuring points located in the plane of wind turbine blades, demonstrated an increase when compared to the base model by 35% for the wind turbine with the plano-convex bowl, for the wind speed of 5 m/s, and 31.3% and 49% for the higher approaching wind speed, for the plano-convex bowl and centrally convex bowl, respectively. The centrally convex bowl seems to be more appropriate for higher approaching wind speeds. An increase in wind turbine efficiency, described by the power coefficient, for solutions with aerodynamic bowls was observed.


Author(s):  
Ohad Gur ◽  
Aviv Rosen

The optimal aerodynamic design of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) is investigated. The Blade-element/Momentum model is used for the aerodynamic analysis. In the first part of the paper a simple design method is derived, where the turbine blade is optimized for operation at a specific wind speed. Results of this simple optimization are presented and discussed. Besides being optimized for operation at a specific wind speed, without considering operation at other wind speeds, the simple model is also limited in the choice of design goals (cost functions), design variables and constraints. In the second part of the paper a comprehensive design method that is based on a mixed numerical optimization strategy, is presented. This method can handle almost any combination of: design goal, design variables, and constraints. Results of this method are presented, compared with the results of the simple optimization, and discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document