Aerodynamic Simulation of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Korobenko ◽  
M.-C. Hsu ◽  
I. Akkerman ◽  
Y. Bazilevs

Full-scale, 3D, time-dependent aerodynamics modeling and simulation of a Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) is presented. The simulations are performed using a moving-domain finite-element-based ALE-VMS technique augmented with a sliding-interface formulation to handle the rotor-stator interactions present. We simulate a single VAWT using a sequence of meshes with increased resolution to assess the computational requirements for this class of problems. The computational results are in good agreement with experimental data. We also perform a computation of two side-by-side counterrotating VAWTs to illustrate how the ALE-VMS technique may be used for the simulation of multiple turbines placed in arrays.

Author(s):  
Maurizio Collu ◽  
Michael Borg ◽  
Andrew Shires ◽  
Feargal P. Brennan

In the present article, progress on the development of an aero-hydro-servo-elastic coupled model of dynamics for floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) is presented, called FloVAWT (Floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine). Aerodynamics is based on Paraschivoiu’s Double-Multiple Streamtube (DMST) model [1] [2], relying on blade element momentum (BEM) theory, but also taking into account three-dimensional effects, dynamic stall, and unsteady wind profiles and platform motions. Hydrodynamics is modelled with a time domain seakeeping model [3], based on hydrodynamic coefficients estimated with a frequency analysis potential method. In this first phase of the research program, the system is considered a rigid body. The mooring system is represented through a user defined force-displacement relationship. Due to the lack of experimental data on offshore floating VAWTs, the model has initially been validated by taking each module separately and comparing it against known experimental data, showing good agreement. The capabilities of the program are illustrated through a case study, giving an insight on the relative importance of aerodynamics loads and gyroscopic effects with respect to hydrodynamic load effects.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Victor Mendoza ◽  
Anders Goude

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) are characterized by complex and unsteady flow patterns resulting in considerable challenges for both numerical simulations and measurements describing the phenomena involved. In this study, a 3D Actuator Line Model (ALM) is compared to a 2D and a 3D Vortex Model, and they are validated using the normal forces measurements on a blade of an operating 12 kW VAWT, which is located in an open site in the north of Uppsala, Sweden. First, the coefficient power ( C P ) curve of the device has been simulated and compared against the experimental one. Then, a wide range of operational conditions for different tip speed ratios (TSRs), with λ = 1.84, 2.55, 3.06, 3.44, 4.09 and 4.57 were investigated. The results showed descent agreement with the experimental data for both models in terms of the trend and magnitudes. On one side, a slight improvement for representing the normal forces was achieved by the ALM, while the vortex code performs better in the simulation of the C P curve. Similarities and discrepancies between numerical and experimental results are discussed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 229-231 ◽  
pp. 613-616
Author(s):  
Yan Jue Gong ◽  
Yuan Yuan Zhang ◽  
Fu Zhao ◽  
Hui Yu Xiang ◽  
Chun Ling Meng ◽  
...  

As an important part of the vertical axis wind turbine, the support structure should have high strength and stiffness. This article adopts finite element method to model a kind of tower structure of the vertical axis wind turbine and carry out static and modal analysis. The static and dynamic characteristic results of tower in this paper provide reference for optimization design the support structure of wind turbine further.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mykhaylo Tkach ◽  
Serhii Morhun ◽  
Yuri Zolotoy ◽  
Irina Zhuk

AbstractNatural frequencies and vibration modes of axial compressor blades are investigated. A refined mathematical model based on the usage of an eight-nodal curvilinear isoparametric finite element was applied. The verification of the model is carried out by finding the frequencies and vibration modes of a smooth cylindrical shell and comparing them with experimental data. A high-precision experimental setup based on an advanced method of time-dependent electronic interferometry was developed for this aim. Thus, the objective of the study is to verify the adequacy of the refined mathematical model by means of the advanced time-dependent electronic interferometry experimental method. The divergence of the results of frequency measurements between numerical calculations and experimental data does not exceed 5 % that indicates the adequacy and high reliability of the developed mathematical model. The developed mathematical model and experimental setup can be used later in the study of blades with more complex geometric and strength characteristics or in cases when the real boundary conditions or mechanical characteristics of material are uncertain.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0309524X2110618
Author(s):  
Syed Abdur Rahman Tahir ◽  
Muhammad Shakeel Virk

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) can be a promising solution for electricity production in remote ice prone territories of high north, where good wind resources are available, but icing is a challenge that can affect its optimum operation. A lot of research has been made to study the icing effects on the conventional horizontal axis wind turbines, but the literature about vertical axis wind turbines operating in icing conditions is still scarce, despite the importance of this topic. This paper presents a review study about existing knowledge of VAWT operation in icing condition. Focus has been made in better understanding of ice accretion physics along VAWT blades and methods to detect and mitigate icing effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 897 (1) ◽  
pp. 012001
Author(s):  
Oleg Goman ◽  
Andrii Dreus ◽  
Anton Rozhkevych ◽  
Krystyna Heti

Abstract Until recently, vertical-axis wind turbines are less extensively developed in wind energetics. At the same time, there are a number of advantages in turbines of such type like their independence from the change of wind direction, lower levels of aerodynamic and infrasound noises, higher structural reliability (compared to horizontal engines), etc. With these advantages, vertical-axis wind turbines demonstrate promising capacities. Inter alia, the productiveness of such turbines can be refined through the aerodynamic improvement of the structure and comprehensive optimization of the rotor geometry. The main purpose of the presented paper is to aerodynamically improve vertical wind turbine in order to increase the efficiency of wind energy conversion into electricity. Within the framework of the classical theory of impulses, this article presents a study of the effect of variation in Reynolds number on the general energy characteristics of a vertical-axis wind turbine with two blades. The integral approach makes it possible to use a single-disk impulse model to determine the main specific indicators of the system. The power factor was calculated based on the obtained value of the shaft torque factor, which in turn was determined by numerically integrating the total torque generated by the wind turbine. To calculate the test problem, we used the classic NACA airfoils: 0012, 0015, 0018 and 0021. The proposed calculation algorithm makes it possible not to indicate the Reynolds number and corresponding aerodynamic coefficients at the beginning of the calculation, but to recalculate it depending on the relative speed, position of the airfoil and the linear speed of the airfoil around the circumference. Proposed modern design techniques can be helpful for optimization of vertical wind turbines.


KnE Energy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Yu Penionzhkevich ◽  
Yu Sobolev ◽  
V Samarin ◽  
M Naumenko

The paper presents the results of measurement of the total cross sections for reactions 4,6He + Si and 6,7,9Li + Si in the beam energy range 5−50 A⋅MeV. The enhancements of the total cross sections for reaction 6He + Si compared with reaction 4He + Si, and 9Li + Si compared with reactions 6,7Li + Si have been observed. The performed microscopic analysis of total cross sections for reactions 6He + Si and 9Li + Si based on numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for external neutrons of projectile nuclei 6He and 9Li yielded good agreement with experimental data.


2019 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 03002
Author(s):  
Carlo Alberto Niccolini Marmont Du Haut Champ ◽  
Fabrizio Stefani ◽  
Paolo Silvestri

The aim of the present work is to design a test rig suited to investigate the dynamic interaction between rotor and hydrodynamic journal bearings in micro gas turbines (microGT), i.e. with reference to small bearings (diameter in the order of ten millimeters). Particularly, the device is capable of measuring the journal location. Therefore, the journal motion due to rotor vibrations can be displayed, in order to assess performance as well as stiffness and damping of the bearings. The new test rig is based on Bently Nevada Rotor Kit (RK), but substantial modifications are carried out. Indeed, the relative radial clearance of the original RK bearings is about 2/100, while it is in the order of 1/1000 in industrial bearings. Therefore, the same RK bearings are employed in the new test rig, but a new shaft has been designed in order to reduce the original clearance. The new shaft enables us to study the bearing behaviour for different clearances, as it is equipped with interchangeable journals. The experimental data yielded by the new test rig are compared with numerical results. These are obtained by means of a suitable finite element (FEM) code developed by our research group. It allows the Thermo Elasto-HydroDynamic (TEHD) analysis of the bearing in static and dynamic conditions. In the present paper, bearing static performances are analysed in order to assess the reliability of the journal location predictions by comparing numerical and experimental results. Such comparisons are presented for both large and small clearance bearings of original and modified RK, respectively. Good agreement is found only for the modified RK equipped with small clearance bearings (relative radial clearance equal to 8/1000). Nevertheless, rotor alignment is quite difficult with small clearance bearings and a completely new test rig is designed for future experiments.


2014 ◽  
Vol 626 ◽  
pp. 365-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Oide ◽  
Tetsuya Matsuda

In this study, macro/meso/micro elastic-viscoplastic analysis of plain-woven laminates is conducted based on a homogenization theory for nonlinear time-dependent composites. For this, a plain-woven laminate is modeled with respect to three scales by considering the laminate as a macrostructure, fiber bundles (yarns) and a matrix in the laminate as a mesostructure, and fibers and a matrix in the yarns as a microstructure. Then, an elastic-viscoplastic constitutive equation of the laminate is derived by dually applying the homogenization theory for nonlinear time-dependent composites to not only the meso/micro but also the macro/meso scales. Using the present method, the elastic-viscoplastic analysis of a plain-woven glass fiber/epoxy laminate subjected to on-and off-axis loading is performed. It is shown that the present method successfully takes into account the effects of viscoplasticity of the epoxy in yarns on the elastic-viscoplastic behavior of the plain-woven GFRP laminate. It is also shown that the results of analysis are in good agreement with experimental data.


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