scholarly journals Dimensional Analysis in Power Predicting of a Real Scale Wind Turbine Based on Wind Tunnel Torque Measurement of Small Scaled Models

Author(s):  
Sutrisno Sutrisno ◽  
Sigit Iswahyudi ◽  
Setyawan Wibowo

A preliminary study of a wind turbine design is carried out using a wind tunnel to obtain its aerodynamic characteristics. Utilization of data from the study to develop large-scale wind turbines requires further study. This paper aims to discuss the use of wind turbine data obtained from the wind tunnel measurements to estimate the characteristics of wind turbines that have field size. The torque of two small-scale turbines was measured inside the wind tunnel. The first small-scale turbine has a radius of 0.14 m and the second small turbine has a radius of 0.19 m. Torque measurement results from both turbines were analyzed using Buckingham π theorem to obtain a correlation between torsion and diameter variations. The obtained correlation equation is used to estimate the field measurement of turbine power with a radius of 1.2 m. The resulting correlation equation can be used to estimate the power generated by the turbine by the size of the field well in the operating area of the tip speed ratio of the turbine design.

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutrisno ◽  
Sigit Iswahyudi ◽  
Setyawan Wibowo

A preliminary study of a horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) design is carried out using a wind tunnel to obtain its aerodynamic characteristics. Utilization of data from the study to develop large-scale wind turbines requires further study. This paper aims to discuss the use of wind turbine data obtained the wind-tunnel measurements to estimate the characteristics of wind turbines that have field size. One should measure the torque of two small-scale turbines inside the wind tunnel. The first small-scale turbine has a radius of 0.14 m, and the radius of the second small turbine is 0.19 m. Torque measurement results from both turbines were analyzed using the Buckingham π theorem to obtain a correlation between torsion and diameter variations. The obtained correlation equation was used to estimate the field measurement of turbine power with a radius of 1.2 m. The resulting correlation equation can be applied to approximate the energy generated by the turbine using the size of the field well in the operating area and the tip-speed ratio (λ) of the turbine design.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6167
Author(s):  
Fang Feng ◽  
Guoqiang Tong ◽  
Yunfei Ma ◽  
Yan Li

In order to get rid of the impact of the global financial crisis and actively respond to global climate change, it has become a common choice for global economic development to develop clean energy such as wind energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the advantages of simple structure, unnecessary facing the wind direction, and unique appearance, the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) attracts extensive attention in the field of small and medium wind turbines. The lift-type VAWT exhibits outstanding aerodynamic characteristics at a high tip speed ratio, while the starting characteristics are generally undesirable at a low wind speed; thus, how to improve the starting characteristics of the lift-type VAWT has always been an important issue. In this paper, a lift-drag combined starter (LDCS) suitable for lift-type VAWT was proposed to optimize the starting characteristics of lift-type VAWT. With semi-elliptical drag blades and lift blades equipped on the middle and rear part outside the starter, the structure is characterized by lift-drag combination, weakening the adverse effect of the starter with semi-elliptical drag blades alone on the output performance of the original lift-type VAWT and improving the characteristics of the lift-drag combined VAWT. The static characteristic is one of the important starting characteristics of the wind turbine. The rapid development of computational fluid dynamics has laid a solid material foundation for VAWT. Thus the static characteristics of the LDCS with different numbers of blades were investigated by conducting numerical simulation and wind tunnel tests. The results demonstrated that the static torque coefficient of LDCS increased significantly with the increased incoming wind speed. The average value of the static torque coefficient also increased significantly. This study can provide guidelines for the research of lift-drag combined wind turbines.


Author(s):  
Alessandro Bianchini ◽  
Francesco Balduzzi ◽  
Giovanni Ferrara ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrari ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
...  

Darrieus vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have been recently identified as the most promising solution for new types of applications, such as small-scale installations in complex terrains or offshore large floating platforms. To improve their efficiencies further and make them competitive with those of conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, a more in depth understanding of the physical phenomena that govern the aerodynamics past a rotating Darrieus turbine is needed. Within this context, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can play a fundamental role, since it represents the only model able to provide a detailed and comprehensive representation of the flow. Due to the complexity of similar simulations, however, the possibility of having reliable and detailed experimental data to be used as validation test cases is pivotal to tune the numerical tools. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (U-RANS) computational model was applied to analyze the wake characteristics on the midplane of a small-size H-shaped Darrieus VAWT. The turbine was tested in a large-scale, open-jet wind tunnel, including both performance and wake measurements. Thanks to the availability of such a unique set of experimental data, systematic comparisons between simulations and experiments were carried out for analyzing the structure of the wake and correlating the main macrostructures of the flow to the local aerodynamic features of the airfoils in cycloidal motion. In general, good agreement on the turbine performance estimation was constantly appreciated.


Author(s):  
B. F. Xu ◽  
T. G. Wang ◽  
Y. Yuan ◽  
J. F. Cao

A free-vortex wake (FVW) model is developed in this paper to analyse the unsteady aerodynamic performance of offshore floating wind turbines. A time-marching algorithm of third-order accuracy is applied in the FVW model. Owing to the complex floating platform motions, the blade inflow conditions and the positions of initial points of vortex filaments, which are different from the fixed wind turbine, are modified in the implemented model. A three-dimensional rotational effect model and a dynamic stall model are coupled into the FVW model to improve the aerodynamic performance prediction in the unsteady conditions. The effects of floating platform motions in the simulation model are validated by comparison between calculation and experiment for a small-scale rigid test wind turbine coupled with a floating tension leg platform (TLP). The dynamic inflow effect carried by the FVW method itself is confirmed and the results agree well with the experimental data of a pitching transient on another test turbine. Also, the flapping moment at the blade root in yaw on the same test turbine is calculated and compares well with the experimental data. Then, the aerodynamic performance is simulated in a yawed condition of steady wind and in an unyawed condition of turbulent wind, respectively, for a large-scale wind turbine coupled with the floating TLP motions, demonstrating obvious differences in rotor performance and blade loading from the fixed wind turbine. The non-dimensional magnitudes of loading changes due to the floating platform motions decrease from the blade root to the blade tip.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Ojing Siram ◽  
Neha Kesharwani ◽  
Niranjan Sahoo ◽  
Ujjwal K. Saha

Abstract In recent times, the application of small-scale horizontal axis wind turbines (SHAWTs) has drawn interest in certain areas where the energy demand is minimal. These turbines, operating mostly at low Reynolds number (Re) and low tip speed ratio (λ) applications, can be used as stand-alone systems. The present study aims at the design, development, and testing of a series of SHAWT models. On the basis of aerodynamic characteristics, four SHAWT models viz., M1, M2, M3, and M4 composed of E216, SG6043, NACA63415, and NACA0012 airfoils, respectively have been developed. Initially, the rotors are designed through blade element momentum theory (BEMT), and their power coefficient have been evaluated. Thence, the developed rotors are tested in a low-speed wind tunnel to find their rotational frequency, power and power coefficient at design and off-design conditions. From BEMT analysis, M1 shows a maximum power coefficient (Cpmax) of 0.37 at λ = 2.5. The subsequent wind tunnel tests on M1, M2, M3, and M4 at 9 m/s show the Cpmax values to be 0.34, 0.30, 0.28, and 0.156, respectively. Thus, from the experiments, the M1 rotor is found to be favourable than the other three rotors, and its Cpmax value is found to be about 92% of BEMT prediction. Further, the effect of pitch angle (θp) on Cp of the model rotors is also examined, where M1 is found to produce a satisfactory performance within ±5° from the design pitch angle (θp, design).


Author(s):  
L. Battisti ◽  
L. Zanne ◽  
S. Dell’Anna ◽  
V. Dossena ◽  
B. Paradiso ◽  
...  

This paper presents the first results of a wide experimental investigation on the aerodynamics of a vertical axis wind turbine. Vertical axis wind turbines have recently received particular attention, as interesting alternative for small and micro generation applications. However, the complex fluid dynamic mechanisms occurring in these machines make the aerodynamic optimization of the rotors still an open issue and detailed experimental analyses are now highly recommended to convert improved flow field comprehensions into novel design techniques. The experiments were performed in the large-scale wind tunnel of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy), where real-scale wind turbines for micro generation can be tested in full similarity conditions. Open and closed wind tunnel configurations are considered in such a way to quantify the influence of model blockage for several operational conditions. Integral torque and thrust measurements, as well as detailed aerodynamic measurements were applied to characterize the 3D flow field downstream of the turbine. The local unsteady flow field and the streamwise turbulent component, both resolved in phase with the rotor position, were derived by hot wire measurements. The paper critically analyses the models and the correlations usually applied to correct the wind tunnel blockage effects. Results evidence that the presently available theoretical correction models does not provide accurate estimates of the blockage effect in the case of vertical axis wind turbines. The tip aerodynamic phenomena, in particular, seem to play a key role for the prediction of the turbine performance; large-scale unsteadiness is observed in that region and a simple flow model is used to explain the different flow features with respect to horizontal axis wind turbines.


Author(s):  
Alessandro Bianchini ◽  
Francesco Balduzzi ◽  
Giovanni Ferrara ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrari ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
...  

Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) have been recently identified as the most promising solution for new types of applications, such as small-scale installations in complex terrains or offshore large floating platforms. To improve their efficiencies further and make them competitive with those of conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, a more in depth understanding of the physical phenomena that govern the aerodynamics past a rotating Darrieus turbine is needed. Within this context, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can play a fundamental role, since it represents the only model able to provide a detailed and comprehensive representation of the flow. Due to the complexity of similar simulations, however, the possibility of having reliable and detailed experimental data to be used as validation test cases is pivotal to tune the numerical tools. In this study, a two-dimensional U-RANS computational model was applied to analyze the wake characteristics on the mid plane of a small-size H-shaped Darrieus VAWT. The turbine was tested in a large-scale, open-jet wind tunnel, including both performance and wake measurements. Thanks to the availability of such a unique set of experimental data, systematic comparisons between simulations and experiments were carried out analyzing the structure of the wake, and correlating the main macro-structures of the flow to the local aerodynamic features of the airfoils in cycloidal motion. In general, good agreement on the turbine performance estimation was constantly appreciated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Rogowski ◽  
Ryszard Maroński ◽  
Janusz Piechna

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palanisamy Mohan Kumar ◽  
M Mohan Ram Surya ◽  
Srikanth Narasimalu ◽  
Teik-Cheng Lim

Savonius wind turbines have distinct advantages in terms of simplicity, low noise, and ease of manufacturing, yet they are not preferred for large-scale power generation due to their lower aerodynamic performance and high wind loads. This study is aimed at reducing the thrust load with retractable type telescopic blades. This novel telescopic Savonius turbine is tested in an open jet wind tunnel to assess the performance in terms of torque, power, and thrust on the rotor. The dynamic and static characteristics are obtained for both extended and retracted configuration after correcting the experimental data for wind tunnel blockage. A preliminary numerical study is carried out in an effort to determine the variation of the drag coefficient in relation to the bucket thickness. The proposed telescopic turbine demonstrates a reduction in thrust load of 72.4% with a maximum power coefficient of 0.14 at the tip speed ratio of 0.7 compared to an extended operating configuration, similar to a conventional Savonius turbine. Thus, the telescopic Savonius turbine can be scaled up to higher kilowatt capacity with the cost comparable to other high-speed rotors such as Darrieus or horizontal axis wind turbines.


Author(s):  
Jason R. Gregg ◽  
Kenneth W. Van Treuren

When studied in large wind turbines, roughness on wind turbine blades has been shown to decrease wind turbine performance by up to 50%. However, during wind turbine testing in the Baylor University Subsonic Wind Tunnel, roughness effects that were an artifact of the blade manufacturing process led to a significant power increase over smooth blades at the design wind speed of 10 mph. These results have led to an investigation of the effects of roughness on wind turbine performance under a flow condition with local Reynolds numbers ranging from 14,200 to 58,800. It was found that under these flow conditions the roughness can improve measured power output by up to 126% when compared with a smooth blade. This paper examines the conditions where roughness can positively affect the operation of a wind turbine by testing a 500 mm diameter, horizontal axis, three blade, fixed pitch wind turbine system in a wind tunnel. The experiments have been carried out on a single direct-drive wind turbine model and a single blade design using the NREL designed S818 airfoil. The design point for the blades tested is 10 miles per hour, with a tip speed ratio of 7. Roughness can be an effective treatment when used at or near the stall speed of the wind turbine blade for lower Reynolds number conditions. The roughness elements tested were both perpendicular to and along the flow lines. These blades were then compared to a blade configuration without roughness elements.


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