scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of a Small-Size Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Performance and Averaged Flow Parameters Around the Rotor

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Rogowski ◽  
Ryszard Maroński ◽  
Janusz Piechna
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Static Pressure Distribution ◽  
Rural And Urban

AbstractSmall-scale vertical-axis wind turbines can be used as a source of electricity in rural and urban environments. According to the authors’ knowledge, there are no validated simplified aerodynamic models of these wind turbines, therefore the use of more advanced techniques, such as for example the computational methods for fluid dynamics is justified. The paper contains performance analysis of the small-scale vertical-axis wind turbine with a large solidity. The averaged velocity field and the averaged static pressure distribution around the rotor have been also analyzed. All numerical results presented in this paper are obtained using the SST k-ω turbulence model. Computed power coeffcients are in good agreement with the experimental results. A small change in the tip speed ratio significantly affects the velocity field. Obtained velocity fields can be further used as a base for simplified aerodynamic methods.

scholarly journals CFD for Helical Type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2S4) ◽  
pp. 474-476
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Twisted Blade ◽  
Aided Design

Vertical axis wind turbines are most effective for home energy generation especially in urban environments. Wind energy creates a stand-alone energy source that is relied on any place. The main criteria for this work is the design of micro wind turbines for all kinds of applications. Design of Twisted Blade Micro-Wind Turbine system is accomplished using computer aided design with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The flow characteristics in the wind turbine blade were analyzed by varying its twist ratio. The wind turbines with vertical axis utilize the wind from any direction with no yaw mechanism. The risk of blade ejection besides catching wind from all the directions is avoided by using the helical tye vertical axis wind turbine.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of Design Parameters With Strong Influence on the Aerodynamic Efficiency of a Small-Scale Self-Pitch VAWT

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Xisto ◽  
José Páscoa ◽  
Michele Trancossi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Strong Influence ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Periodic Variation ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Four Bar Linkage

In the paper, four key design parameters with a strong influence on the performance of a small-scale high solidity variable pitch VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine), operating at low tip-speed-ratio (TSR) are addressed. To this aim a numerical approach, based on a finite-volume discretization of two-dimensional Unsteady RANS equations on a multiple sliding mesh, is proposed and validated against experimental data. The self-pitch VAWT design is based on a straight blade Darrieus wind turbine with blades that are allowed to pitch around a feathering axis, which is also parallel to the axis of rotation. The pitch angle amplitude and periodic variation are dynamically controlled by a four-bar-linkage system. We only consider the efficiency at low and intermediate TSR, therefore the pitch amplitude is chosen to be a sinusoidal function with a considerable amplitude. The results of this parametric analysis will contribute to define the guidelines for building a full size prototype of a small scale turbine of increased efficiency.

Prediction of Aerodynamic Noise Radiated From a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akiyoshi Iida ◽  
Akisato Mizuno ◽  
Kyoji Kamemoto
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Sound Source ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Aerodynamic Noise ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Unsteady flow field and flow induced noise of vertical axis wind turbine are numerically investigated. The flow field is numerically calculated by the vortex method with core-spreading model. This simulation obtains aerodynamic performance and aerodynamic forces. Aerodynamic noise is also simulated by using Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation with compact body and low-Mach number assumptions. Tip speed of rotor blades are not so high, then the contribution of the moving sound source is smaller than that of the dipole sound source. Since the maximum power coefficient of VAWT can be obtained at lower tip-speed ratio compared to the conventional, horizontal axis wind turbines, the aerodynamic noise from vertical axis wind turbine is smaller than that of the conventional wind turbines at the same aerodynamic performance. This result indicates that the vertical axis wind turbines are useful to develop low-noise wind turbines.

scholarly journals Dynamic stall in vertical axis wind turbines: scaling and topological considerations

2018 ◽  
Vol 841 ◽  
pp. 746-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel-John Buchner ◽  
Julio Soria ◽  
Damon Honnery ◽  
Alexander J. Smits
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vortex Shedding ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Dynamic Stall ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Vertical axis wind turbine blades are subject to rapid, cyclical variations in angle of attack and relative airspeed which can induce dynamic stall. This phenomenon poses an obstacle to the greater implementation of vertical axis wind turbines because dynamic stall can reduce turbine efficiency and induce structural vibrations and noise. This study seeks to provide a more comprehensive description of dynamic stall in vertical axis wind turbines, with an emphasis on understanding its parametric dependence and scaling behaviour. This problem is of practical relevance to vertical axis wind turbine design but the inherent coupling of the pitching and velocity scales in the blade kinematics makes this problem of more broad fundamental interest as well. Experiments are performed using particle image velocimetry in the vicinity of the blades of a straight-bladed gyromill-type vertical axis wind turbine at blade Reynolds numbers of between 50 000 and 140 000, tip speed ratios between $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}=1$ to $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}=5$, and dimensionless pitch rates of $0.10\leqslant K_{c}\leqslant 0.20$. The effect of these factors on the evolution, strength and timing of vortex shedding from the turbine blades is determined. It is found that tip speed ratio alone is insufficient to describe the circulation production and vortex shedding behaviour from vertical axis wind turbine blades, and a scaling incorporating the dimensionless pitch rate is proposed.

Development of a High Efficiency and Long Life 500W Class H-Darrieus Type VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) System Using Skin-Spar-Foam Sandwich Composite Structure

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changduk Kong ◽  
Haseung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Structural Test

Since the energy crisis and the environmental issue have been focused due to excessive fossil fuel consumption, the wind power has been considered as an important renewable energy source. Recently, several MW class large scale wind turbine systems have been developed in some countries. Even though the large scale wind turbine can effectively produce the electrical power, the small scale wind turbines have been continuously developed due some advantages, for instance, it can be easily built by low cost without any limitation of location, i.e. even in city. In case of small scale wind turbines, the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is used in city having frequent wind direction change, even though it has a bit lower efficient than the horizontal axis wind turbine. Furthermore, most small scale wind turbine systems have been designed at the rated wind speed of around 12m/s. This work is to design a high efficiency 500W class composite VAWT blade which is applicable to relatively low speed region. In the aerodynamic design of blade, the parametric studies are carried out to decide an optimal aerodynamic configuration. The aerodynamic efficiency and performance of the designed VAWT is confirmed by the CFD analysis. The structural design is performed by the load case study, the initial sizing using the netting rule and the rule of mixture, the structural analysis using FEM, the fatigue life estimation and the structural test. The prototype blade is manufactured by the hand lay-up and the matched die molding. The experimental structural test results are compared with the FEM analysis results. Finally, to evaluate the prototype VAWT including designed blades, the performance test is performed using a truck to simulate the various range wind speeds and some measuring equipments. According to the performance evaluation result, the estimated performance is well agreed with the experimental test result in all operating ranges.

Performance Evaluation of H-Type Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Different Turbine Solidity

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 833-839
Author(s):  
Muhamad Fadhli Ramlee ◽  
Ahmad Fazlizan ◽  
Sohif Mat
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Wind Condition ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Power Performance ◽  
Darrieus Rotor

Among renewable energy resources, wind energy is one of the best alternative for power generation. Recently, vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) received renewed interest as small-scale wind energy converter due to its suitability for urban application, where the wind condition is known to be unsteady and turbulence. Amongst various type of VAWTs, H-type Darrieus rotor has become more popular, thanks to its simple construction features, resulting to low manufacturing and installation cost. The aim of this paper is to evaluate numerically the power performance of straight-bladed Darrieus VAWT with different turbine solidity using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) technology. A series of two-dimensional CFD simulations of a three-bladed H-type Darrieus rotor were performed with 3 different solidities, σ (0.3, 0.5 and 0.7) to evaluate their power performance. Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations were used to calculate the instantaneous moment coefficient, Cm and power coefficient, Cp over a range of tip speed ratio, λ (0.5–4.5) with a free stream velocity of 8.0 m/s. The simulation results show that high solidity turbine performed well at low values of λ while turbine with low solidity has a wider operating range of λ and performed better at λ > 3.0 due to less blade-wake interactions between upstream and downstream halves of the turbine and lower blockage effect. The findings lend substantially to our understanding of physics flow around blades and turbine in order to optimize the power performance of small scale straight-bladed Darrieus VAWT operating in unsteady and turbulence wind condition.

scholarly journals Effect of Helix Angle on the Performance of Helical Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unnikrishnan Divakaran ◽  
Ajith Ramesh ◽  
Akram Mohammad ◽  
Ratna Kishore Velamati
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Helix Angle ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ripple Effect ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Moment Coefficient ◽  
Helical Blade

The global energy crisis has lead researchers explore other sources of energy like wind, resulting in a wide acceptance of wind turbines. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) more suitable for small scale application in urban conditions than their horizontal-axis counterparts. A Helical bladed VAWT would reduce the ripple effect when compared to Straight bladed VAWT. The effect of the blade helix angle on the aerodynamic performance of VAWT using 3D numerical simulations is studied. Turbulence modelled using 4-Equation transition SST k-w model. Three different helix angles of 60, 90 and 120 of a 3 bladed VAWT operating across different tip speed ratios were studied. The 60 helical bladed VAWT was found to perform better than all other helical bladed and straight bladed VAWT. Standard deviation of the moment coefficient generated by a blade plotted against 360 of azimuth rotation revealed that the ripple effect on the shaft produced by cyclic loading of the straight blade is considerably reduced upon introduction of helix angle, with 120 helical blade giving lowest standard deviation. The analysis has been done for the percentage of power generated by each quartile of flow and the contribution of each section of the blade. A comparative study was also conducted between different helical bladed VAWT and straight bladed VAWT. Flow feature analysis also revealed the reasons behind secondary peaks and the performance improvement when tip speed ratio increases. Wake structure analysis and flow contours were also studied for a better understanding of the flow field.

scholarly journals Geometrical Parameters Influencing the Aerodynamic Efficiency of a Small-Scale Self-Pitch High-Solidity VAWT

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos M. Xisto ◽  
José C. Páscoa ◽  
Michele Trancossi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Periodic Variation ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

In this paper, four key design parameters with a strong influence on the performance of a high-solidity variable pitch vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) operating at low tip-speed-ratio (TSR) are addressed. To this aim, a numerical approach, based on a finite-volume discretization of two-dimensional (2D) unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) equations, on a multiple sliding mesh, is proposed and validated against experimental data. The self-pitch VAWT design is based on a straight-blade Darrieus wind turbine with blades that are allowed to pitch around a feathering axis, which is also parallel to the axis of rotation. The pitch angle amplitude and periodic variation are dynamically controlled by a four-bar linkage system. We only consider the efficiency at low and intermediate TSR; therefore, the pitch amplitude is chosen to be a sinusoidal function with a considerable amplitude. The results of this parametric analysis will contribute to define the guidelines for building a full-size prototype of a small-scale wind turbine of increased efficiency.

Adaptive surface distortions for torque ripple control in vertical-axis wind turbines

2019 ◽  
pp. 0309524X1987402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Erfort ◽  
Theodor W von Backström ◽  
Gerhard Venter
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Torque Ripple ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Blade Design ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Vertical-axis wind turbines have been confined to small-scale generation in urban environments where their omnidirectional capability offers them an advantage over the more ubiquitous horizontal-axis wind turbine. With a drive towards renewable energy, more opportunities exist for the implementation of wind turbines in a multitude of environments. Based on its inherent operational drawbacks, the vertical-axis wind turbine has not undergone extensive investigation. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the technology. This article addresses the torque ripple, a variation in torque produced by the turbine, present during operation. The variation in torque generated by a vertical-axis wind turbine increases the likelihood of failure due to fatigue. Current treatment is symptomatic and addresses the result of the torque fluctuation and not the cause. A novel blade design, capable of altering the lift and drag response through shape alteration, is presented as a solution. The blade design and operation is achieved through genetic algorithm optimization and computational fluid dynamic simulations. Comparisons with previous work show the novel blade presented here surpasses the reduction seen with pitching solutions. A 25% reduction in torque ripple was demonstrated for a 17% reduction in performance coefficient using the surface distortion approach. This surpasses the foil pitching approach which achieved a 15% torque ripple reduction for the same loss in performance coefficient.

Design and Performance Analysis of Distributed Equal Angle Spiral Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-132
Author(s):  
Li Zheng ◽  
Zhang Wenda ◽  
Han Ruihua ◽  
Tian Yongsheng
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Background: The wind turbine is divided into a horizontal axis and a vertical axis depending on the relative positions of the rotating shaft and the ground. The advantage of the choke wind turbine is that the starting torque is large and the starting performance is good. The disadvantage is that the rotation resistance is large, the rotation speed is low, the asymmetric flow occurs when the wind wheel rotates, the lateral thrust is generated, and the wind energy utilization rate is lowered. How to improve the wind energy utilization rate of the resistance wind turbine is an important issue to be solved by the wind power technology. Objective: The nautilus isometric spiral wind turbines studied in this paper have been introduced and analyzed in detail, preparing for the further flow analysis and layout of wind turbines, improving the wind energy utilization rate of wind turbines, introducing patents of other structures and output characteristics of its generator set. Methods: Combined with the flow field analysis of ANSYS CFX software, the numerical simulation of the new wind turbine was carried out, and the aerodynamic performance of the new vertical axis wind turbine was analyzed. The mathematical model and control model of the generator were established by the maximum power control method, and the accuracy of the simulation results was verified by the measured data. Results: The basic parameters of the new wind turbine tip speed ratio, torque coefficient and wind energy utilization coefficient are analyzed. Changes in wind speed, pressure and eddy viscosity were investigated. Three-dimensional distribution results of wake parameters such as wind speed and pressure are obtained. By simulating the natural wind speed, the speed and output current of the generator during normal operation are obtained. Conclusion: By analyzing the wind performance and power generation characteristics of the new wind turbine, the feasibility of the new wind turbine is determined, which provides reference and reference for the optimal design and development of the wind turbine structure.

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