Wind Tunnel Experiments on Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines with Straight Blades

2014 ◽  
pp. 1001-1004
Author(s):  
H. Dumitrescu ◽  
A. Dumitrache ◽  
C.L. Popescu ◽  
M.O. Popescu ◽  
F. Frunzulică ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

scholarly journals Wind Tunnel Experiments on Interaction between Two Closely Spaced Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines in Side-by-Side Arrangement

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 7874
Author(s):  
Yoshifumi Jodai ◽  
Yutaka Hara
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Local Maxima ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Gap Opening ◽  
Wire Method

This study aimed to determine the optimal rotor spacing of two vertical-axis wind turbines, which are simulated by miniature models arranged side-by-side with a relatively low aspect ratio. Wind tunnel experiments with a pair of 3-D printed model rotors were conducted at a uniform velocity. A series of experiments were conducted involving both incremental adjustments to the rotor gaps, g, and the rotational direction of each rotor. Increases in the power and the related flow patterns were observed in all three arrangements: Co-Rotating (CO), Counter-Up (CU), and Counter-Down (CD). The maximum phase-synchronized rotational speed occurs at the narrowest gap in the CD arrangement. Meanwhile, local maxima arise in the CO and CU arrangements at g/D < 1, where D is the rotor diameter. From an engineering perspective, the optimal rotor spacing is g/D = 0.2 with the CO arrangement, using the same two rotors rotating in the same direction. Based on flow visualization using a smoke-wire method at a narrower gap opening of 0.2D, the wake width in the case of the CU arrangement was remarkably narrower than those obtained in the CO and CD arrangements. In the CU arrangement, a movement towards the center of the rotor pair of the nominal front-stagnation point of each rotor was confirmed via flow visualization. This finding explains a reduction tendency in the rotational speed of the rotors via a reduction in the lift in the CU arrangement.

scholarly journals Wind tunnel experiments of a pair of interacting vertical-axis wind turbines

2018 ◽  
Vol 1037 ◽  
pp. 072049 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Vergaerde ◽  
T De Troyer ◽  
J Kluczewska-Bordier ◽  
N Parneix ◽  
F Silvert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

scholarly journals Wind Tunnel testing of small Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines in Turbulent Flows

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 ◽  
pp. 3176-3181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreu Carbó Molina ◽  
Gianni Bartoli ◽  
Tim de Troyer
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Wind Tunnel Testing ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Tunnel Testing

scholarly journals Characterization of a new open jet wind tunnel to optimize and test vertical axis wind turbines

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 033302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Tourn ◽  
Jordi Pallarès ◽  
Ildefonso Cuesta ◽  
Uwe Schmidt Paulsen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Wind tunnel and numerical study of multi-storey vertical axis wind turbines with different configurations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhijeet M. Malge ◽  
Prashant Maruti Pawar
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Power Coefficient ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Purpose Three different configurations of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) were fabricated by changing the storey height and their orientations. The purpose of this study is to find the effect of storey height and orientation on the performance of wind turbines. The multistory VAWT has three storeys. The first configuration had increased middle storey height, with 0–90-0 orientation of blades. Wherein the second turbine had equal storey heights. The third configuration had increased middle storey height with 0–120-240 orientation of blades. The blades were tested numerically and experimentally. Design/methodology/approach In this research work, prototypes of innovative multistory VAWT were built with different configurations and orientations. Three configurations of three-storey VAWT were fabricated by varying the height of storey of turbines. The orientations were made by keeping the storeys orthogonal to each other. Multistory VAWT was tested numerically and experimentally. ANSYS Fluent was used for computational fluid dynamic analysis of VAWT. K-epsilon model was used for numerical analysis of wind turbine. Experimentation was carried out in a wind tunnel for different tip speed ratios (TSR). Findings The three configurations of innovative multistory VAWT were tested numerically and experimentally for different TSR. It has been found that the VAWT with equal storey height had a better performance as compared to the other two configurations with increased middle storey height. The power coefficient of equal storey height VAWT was about 22%, wherein the power coefficient of turbines with reduced upper and lower storey height was between 5%–8% Research limitations/implications The research work of multi-storey VAWT is very novel and original. The findings of the research will contribute to the existing work done in the field of VAWT. This will help other researchers to have insight into the development of multistory VAWT. The effect of storey height and configuration of multi-storey VAWT is studied numerically and experimentally, which concludes that the performance of equal storey is superior as compared to other configurations. Practical implications The multi-storey concept of VAWT was developed to counter the problem of wind direction. The blades of each storey were arranged orthogonal to each other. This helped to harness wind power irrespective of the direction of the wind. This will make the VAWT more sustainable and financially viable for domestic use. Social implications The turbines are specially designed for remotely located housed in rural areas where the power grid is not yet reached. Users can install the turbine on their rooftop and harness wind power of 100 W capacity. This will help them to make their life easy. Originality/value This research work is very original and first of a kind. The multistory concept of the wind turbine was checked for the effect of storey height and orientations of blades on its performance. Different configurations and orientations of the vertical axis were designed and developed for the first time.

Aerodynamic Measurements on a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in a Large Scale Wind Tunnel

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Battisti ◽  
L. Zanne ◽  
S. Dell’Anna ◽  
V. Dossena ◽  
B. Paradiso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Aerodynamic Optimization ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

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.

scholarly journals Formulation, Validation, and Application of a Novel 3D BEM Tool for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines of General Shape and Size

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5874
Author(s):  
Andrea G. Sanvito ◽  
Vincenzo Dossena ◽  
Giacomo Persico
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Blade Profile ◽  
General Shape ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
Shape And Size

Low order models based on the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory exhibit modeling issues in the performance prediction of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) compared to Computational Fluid Dynamics, despite the widespread engineering practice of such methods. The present study shows that the capability of BEM codes applied to VAWTs can be greatly improved by implementing a novel three-dimensional set of high-order corrections and demonstrates this by comparing the BEM predictions against wind-tunnel experiments conducted on three small-scale VAWT models featuring different rotor design (H-shaped and Troposkein), blade profile (NACA0021 and DU-06-W200), and Reynolds number (from 0.8×105 to 2.5×105). Though based on the conventional Double Multiple Stream Tube (DMST) model, the here-presented in-house BEM code incorporates several two-dimensional and three-dimensional corrections including: accurate extended polar data, flow curvature, dynamic stall, a spanwise-distributed formulation of the tip losses, a fully 3D approach in the modeling of rotors featuring general shape (such as but not only, the Troposkein one), and accounting for the passive effects of supporting struts and pole. The detailed comparison with experimental data of the same models, tested in the large-scale wind tunnel of the Politecnico di Milano, suggests the very good predictive capability of the code in terms of power exchange, torque coefficient, and loads, on both time-mean and time-resolved basis. The peculiar formulation of the code allows including in a straightforward way the usual spanwise non-uniformity of the incoming wind and the effects of skew, thus allowing predicting the turbine operation in a realistic open-field in presence of the environmental boundary layer. A systematic study on the operation of VAWTs in multiple environments, such as in coastal regions or off-shore, and highlighting the sensitivity of VAWT performance to blade profile selection, rotor shape and size, wind shear, and rotor tilt concludes the paper.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of CFD 2D Models for the Simulation of Micro H-Darrieus Turbines Subjected to High Boundary Layer Instabilities

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5564
Author(s):  
Rosario Lanzafame ◽  
Stefano Mauro ◽  
Michele Messina ◽  
Sebastian Brusca
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
2D Model

The simulation of very small vertical axis wind turbines is often a complex task due to the very low Reynolds number effects and the strong unsteadiness related to the rotor operation. Moreover, the high boundary layer instabilities, which affect these turbines, strongly limits their efficiency compared to micro horizontal axis wind turbines. However, as the scientific interest toward micro wind turbine power generation is growing for powering small stand-alone devices, Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs)might be very suitable for this kind of application as well. Furthermore, micro wind turbines are widely used for wind tunnel testing, as the wind tunnel dimensions are usually quite limited. In order to obtain a better comprehension of the fluid dynamics of such micro rotors, in the present paper the authors demonstrate how to develop an accurate CFD 2D model of a micro H-Darrieus wind turbine, inherently characterized by highly unstable operating conditions. The rotor was tested in the subsonic wind tunnel, owned by the University of Catania, in order to obtain the experimental validation of the numerical model. The modeling methodology was developed by means of an accurate grid and time step sensitivity study and by comparing different approaches for the turbulence closure. The hybrid LES/RANS Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation, coupled to a transition model, demonstrated superior accuracy compared to the most advanced unsteady RANS models. Therefore, the CFD 2D model developed in this work allowed for a thorough insight into the unstable fluid dynamic operating conditions of micro VAWTs, leading the way for the performance improvement of such rotors.

scholarly journals Design of an Offshore Three-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine for Wind Tunnel Experiments

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukanta Roy ◽  
Hubert Branger ◽  
Christopher Luneau ◽  
Denis Bourras ◽  
Benoit Paillard
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Energy Market ◽  
Offshore Wind Energy ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

The rapid shrinkage of fossil fuel sources and contrary fast-growing energy needs of social, industrial and technological enhancements, necessitate the need of different approaches to exploit the various renewable energy sources. Among the several technological alternatives, wind energy is one of the most emerging prospective because of its renewable, sustainable and environment friendly nature, especially at its offshore locations. The recent growth of the offshore wind energy market has significantly increased the technological importance of the offshore vertical axis wind turbines, both as floating or fixed installations. Particularly, the class of lift-driven vertical axis wind turbines is very promising; however, the existing design and technology is not competent enough to meet the global need of offshore wind energy. In this context, the project AEROPITCH co-investigated by EOLFI, CORETI and IRPHE aims at the development of a robust and sophisticated offshore vertical axis wind turbine, which would bring decisive competitive advantage in the offshore wind energy market. In this paper, simulations have been performed on the various airfoils of NACA 4-series, 5-series and Selig profiles at different chord Reynolds numbers of 60000, 100000 and 140000 using double multiple streamtube model with tip loss correction. Based on the power coefficient, the best suitable airfoil S1046 has been selected for a 3-bladed vertical axis wind turbine. Besides the blade profile, the turbine design parameters such as aspect ratio and solidity ratio have also been investigated by varying the diameter and chord of the blade. Further, a series of wind tunnel experiments will be performed on the developed wind turbine, and the implementation of active pitch control in the developed turbine will be investigated in future research.

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