Three-Dimensional Character of VAWT Wakes: An Experimental Investigation for H-Shaped and Troposkien Architectures

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Persico ◽  
V. Dossena ◽  
B. Paradiso ◽  
L. Battisti ◽  
A. Brighenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Local Dynamic ◽  
Performance Measurements ◽  
Blade Section ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Swept Area

In this paper the aerodynamics and performance of two Vertical Axis Wind Turbines are discussed, on the basis of a wide set of experiments performed at Politecnico di Milano (Italy). A H-shaped and a Troposkien Darrieus turbine for micro-generation, characterized by the same swept area and blade section, are tested in real-scale. Performance measurements show that the Troposkien rotor outperforms the H-shaped turbine, mostly related to the larger midspan section of the Troposkien rotor (resulting by the constraint of constant swept area) and to the non-aerodynamic struts of the H-shaped rotor. These features are consistent with the character of the wakes shed by the turbines, measured by means of hot wire anemometry on several surfaces downstream of the models. The morphology of H-shape and Troposkien rotor wakes exhibit relevant differences, especially in the three-dimensional character and time-periodic evolution in the blade tip region. In particular, large-scale vortices dominate the tip region of the wake shed by the H-shape turbine; these vortices pulsate significantly during the period, due to the periodic fluctuation of the blade aerodynamic loading. Conversely, the highly tapered shape of the Troposkien rotor prevents the onset of tip vortices, but also induces a dramatic spanwise reduction of tip speed ratio, promoting the onset of local dynamic stall marked by high periodic and turbulent unsteadiness in the tip region of the wake. The way in which these mechanisms affect the wake evolution and mixing process for the two classes of turbines is investigated for different tip speed ratios, highlighting some relevant implications in the framework of wind energy exploitation.

Time-Resolved Experimental Characterization of the Wakes Shed by H-Shaped and Troposkien Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
Vincenzo Dossena ◽  
Berardo Paradiso ◽  
Lorenzo Battisti ◽  
Alessandra Brighenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Local Dynamic ◽  
Performance Measurements ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Blade Section

In this paper, the aerodynamics of two vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are discussed, on the basis of a wide set of experiments performed at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. A H-shaped and a Troposkien Darrieus turbine for microgeneration, featuring the same swept area and blade section, are tested at full-scale. Performance measurements show that the Troposkien rotor outperforms the H-shaped turbine, thanks to the larger midspan section of the Troposkien rotor and to the nonaerodynamic struts of the H-shaped rotor. These features are consistent with the character of the wakes shed by the turbines, measured by means of hot wire anemometry on several surfaces downstream of the models. The H-shape and Troposkien turbine wakes exhibit relevant differences in the three-dimensional morphology and unsteady evolution. In particular, large-scale vortices dominate the tip region of the wake shed by the H-shape turbine; these vortices pulsate significantly during the period, due to the periodic fluctuation of the blade aerodynamic loading. Conversely, the highly tapered shape of the Troposkien rotor not only prevents the onset of tip vortices, but also induces a dramatic spanwise reduction of tip speed ratio (TSR), promoting the onset of local dynamic stall marked by high periodic and turbulent unsteadiness in the tip region of the wake. The way in which these mechanisms affect the wake evolution and mixing process for the two classes of turbines is investigated for different tip speed ratios, highlighting some relevant implications in the framework of wind energy exploitation.

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic analysis of a large-scale vertical axis wind turbine

2021 ◽  
pp. 0309524X2110379
Author(s):  
Brian Hand
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Torque Coefficient

The vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) configuration has many advantages for an offshore wind turbine Installation. In this paper, the three dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics analysis of a large-scale 5 MW VAWT is conducted. At the optimum tip-speed ratio (TSR), the VAWT maximum inline force was 75% larger than the maximum lateral force. It was found the dynamic stall effects cause the VAWT flow field to become increasingly asymmetrical at the mid-span plane, when the TSR is reduced. The attachment of end plates to the blade tips, resulted in a performance improvement during the upwind phase with the average blade torque coefficient in this range being increased by 4.71%. Conversely, during the blade downwind phase a reduction in performance was found due to the increase in drag from the end plates and the average blade torque coefficient in this phase was reduced by 23.1%.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional CFD Simulation and Experimental Assessment of the Performance of a H-Shape Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine at Design and Off-Design Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Franchina ◽  
Otman Kouaissah ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
Marco Savini
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Numerical Predictions

The paper presents the results of a computational study on the aerodynamics and the performance of a small-scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) for distributed micro-generation. The complexity of VAWT aerodynamics, which are inherently unsteady and three-dimensional, makes high-fidelity flow models extremely demanding in terms of computational cost, limiting the analysis to mainly 2D or 2.5D Computational Fluid-Dynamics (CFD) approaches. This paper discusses how a proper setting of the computational model opens the way for carrying out fully 3D unsteady CFD simulations of a VAWT. Key aspects of the flow model and of the numerical solution are discussed, in view of limiting the computational cost while maintaining the reliability of the predictions. A set of operating conditions is considered, in terms of tip-speed-ratio (TSR), covering both peak efficiency condition as well as off-design operation. The fidelity of the numerical predictions is assessed via a systematic comparison with the experimental benchmark data available for this turbine, consisting of both performance and wake measurements carried out in the large-scale wind tunnel of the Politecnico di Milano. The analysis of the flow field on the equatorial plane allows highlighting its time-dependent evolution, with the aim of identifying both the periodic flow structures and the onset of dynamic stall. The full three-dimensional character of the computations allows investigating the aerodynamics of the struts and the evolution of the trailing vorticity at the tip of the blades, eventually resulting in periodic large-scale vortices.

An Experimental Study of the Aerodynamics and Performance of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in a Confined and Unconfined Environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Dossena ◽  
Giacomo Persico ◽  
Berardo Paradiso ◽  
Lorenzo Battisti ◽  
Sergio Dell'Anna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Tip Speed Ratio ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Power Curves

This paper presents the results of a wide experimental study on an H-type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) carried out at the Politecnico di Milano. The experiments were carried out in a large-scale wind tunnel, where wind turbines for microgeneration can be tested in real-scale conditions. Integral torque and thrust measurements were performed, as well as detailed aerodynamic measurements to characterize the flow field generated by the turbine downstream of the rotor. The machine was tested in both a confined (closed chamber) and unconfined (open chamber) environment, to highlight the effect of wind tunnel blockage on the aerodynamics and performance of the VAWT under investigation. The experimental results, compared with the blockage correlations presently available, suggest that specific correction models should be developed for VAWTs. The experimental thrust and power curves of the turbine, derived from integral measurements, exhibit the expected trends with a peak power coefficient of about 0.28 at tip-speed ratio equal to 2.5. Flow measurements, performed in three conditions for tip speed ratio equal to 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5, show the fully three-dimensional character of the wake, especially in the tip region where a nonsymmetrical wake and tip vortex are found. The unsteady evolution of the velocity and turbulence fields further highlights the effect of aerodynamic loading on the wake unsteadiness, showing the time-dependent nature of the tip vortex and the onset of dynamic stall for tip speed ratio lower than 2.

scholarly journals Large-scale numerical simulations: Convection in an annular channel rotating about a vertical axis with side-walls

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S252) ◽  
pp. 111-112
Author(s):  
Yingli Chang ◽  
Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Annular Channel ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Jet Flows ◽  
Nonlinear Convection ◽  
Strongly Nonlinear ◽  
Convection Model ◽  
Side Walls

AbstractFor the purpose of understanding the dynamics of planetary atmospheres, we use the annular convection model to simulate the dynamics of atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The model (annular channel) rotates about a vertical axis with side-walls, and it is heated from below.We use the software NaSt3DGP (a parallel software package to solve the 3D incompressible fluid dynamic problems in Cartesian coordinates by using Finite Difference Method) for the computation. It's reliability is tested by our application to simulate fully three-dimensional nonlinear convection in a box with lateral stress-free side-walls, uniformly heated from below. We found that, at moderately large Rayleigh numbers, the complex formation of multiple-jet flows can be maintained by the traveling convective eddies; we also found that the type of the sidewall velocity condition does not play an essential role in determining the primary properties of strongly nonlinear convection.

Wake and Performance Predictions of Two- and Three-Bladed Wind Turbines Based on the Actuator Line Model1

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Henao Garcia ◽  
Aldo Benavides-Morán ◽  
Omar D. Lopez Mejia
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Power Extraction ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Turbine Design ◽  
Simulation Parameters

Abstract This paper challenges the standard wind turbine design numerically assessing the wake and aerodynamic performance of two- and three-bladed wind turbine models implementing downwind and upwind rotor configurations, respectively. The simulations are conducted using the actuator line model (ALM) coupled with a three-dimensional Navier Stokes solver implementing the k−ω shear stress transport turbulence model. The sensitivity of the ALM to multiple simulation parameters is analyzed in detail and numerical results are compared against experimental data. These analyses highlight the most suitable Gaussian radius at the rotor to be equal to twice the chord length at 95% of the blade for a tip-speed ratio (TSR) of ten, while the Gaussian radius at the tower and the number of actuator points have a low incidence on the flow field computations overall. The numerical axial velocity profiles show better agreement upstream than downstream the rotor, while the discrepancies are not consistent through all the assessed operating conditions, thus highlighting that the ALM parameters are also dependent on the wind turbine's operating conditions rather than being merely geometric parameters. Particularly, for the upwind three-bladed wind turbine model, the accuracy of the total thrust computations improves as the TSR increases, while the least accurate wake predictions are found for its design TSR. Finally, when comparing both turbine models, an accurate representation of the downwind configuration is observed as well as realistic power extraction estimates. Indeed, the results confirm that rotors with fewer blades are more suitable to operate at high TSRs.

Continuous Consolidation of Sludge in Large Scale Gravity Thickeners

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Frost ◽  
J. Halliday ◽  
A. S. Dee
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Three Dimensional Flow ◽  
Transport Efficiency ◽  
Transport Zone ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Improved Design ◽  
Back Mixing

Improved design and performance of continuous thickeners should be achieved through a better understanding of the sludge transport processes involved and the variability of sludge thickenability. A software package called PHOENICS was used to model the three-dimensional flow of sludge in the transport zone of a 20m diameter thickener. A mass transport efficiency was evaluated to test the efficacy of the ploughing system, and tracer simulations were performed to study the degree of back-mixing induced. Interpretation of the results suggests that:○Optimum orientation of the ploughs to the radial arm is 60° to 70°.○Transport of sludge to a central outlet occurs principally in the wake of the advancing ploughs, and that ploughs are less efficient than conventional theories dictate.○Sludge in the ploughing zone is mixed, thus potentially impairing thickener performance. The thickenability of mixed raw sludge arising at a large activated sludge works was monitored. Pronounced seasonal variations were observed, with a marked deterioration in thickenability in late summer and autumn. These were confirmed in trials of a 20m diameter continuous thickener. Consequently the proposed thickening strategy for this works has been revised.

Transition to bluff-body dynamics in the wake of vertical-axis wind turbines

2017 ◽  
Vol 813 ◽  
pp. 346-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Araya ◽  
Tim Colonius ◽  
John O. Dabiri
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Bluff Body ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Cylinder Wake ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Far Wake

We present experimental data to demonstrate that the far wake of a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) exhibits features that are quantitatively similar to that of a circular cylinder with the same aspect ratio. For a fixed Reynolds number ($Re\approx 0.8\times 10^{5}$) and variable tip-speed ratio, two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to measure the velocity field in the wake of four different laboratory-scale models: a 2-bladed, 3-bladed and 5-bladed VAWT, as well as a circular cylinder. With these measurements, we use spectral analysis and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to evaluate statistics of the velocity field and investigate the large-scale coherent motions of the wake. In all cases, we observe three distinct regions in the VAWT wake: (i) the near wake, where periodic blade vortex shedding dominates; (ii) a transition region, where growth of a shear-layer instability occurs; (iii) the far wake, where bluff-body wake oscillations dominate. We define a dynamic solidity parameter, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{D}$, that relates the characteristic scales of the flow to the streamwise transition location in the wake. In general, we find that increasing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{D}$ leads to an earlier transition, a greater initial velocity deficit and a faster rate of recovery in the wake. We propose a coordinate transformation using $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{D}$ in which the minimum velocity recovery profiles of the VAWT wake closely match that of the cylinder wake. The results have implications for manipulating VAWT wake recovery within a wind farm.

Numerical Simulation of Flow Field Around a Circular-Bladed Butterfly Wind Turbine

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Hara ◽  
Takahiro Sumi ◽  
Yuhei Matsubara ◽  
Yoshiyuki Yasumoto
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Dynamic Stall ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Half Cycle ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tip Vortices ◽  
Sectional Shape

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (3D-CFD) was performed to simulate the flow field around an aluminum circular-blade butterfly wind turbine, which is a vertical-axis-type turbine with four circular blades and a diameter of 2.06 m. Under the assumption of a loss factor of 0.8 due to a generator and an AC–DC converter, the CFD results agreed with the experimental results. Although tip vortices were observed at the top and bottom portions of the blades, the vorticity intensity was weaker than that of the straight-blade rotor case. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the tip vortices seemed to be elliptical for circular blades rather than circular as for straight blades. As the tip speed ratio was less than 2, vortices arising from dynamic stall at maximum-radius portions of blades were observed at the downwind half-cycle as well as the upwind half-cycle. A feature of the vortices shed from a circular blade at the downwind half-cycle was the looped shape.

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