Abstract
Small-scale vertical axis wind turbines are regarded today as an attractive source of green energy, still insufficiently implemented and tested. This paper presents a fast design methodology of such a VAWT, in terms of choosing its main parameters: airfoil, rotor diameter and solidity. For obtaining generated power of each considered geometrical model at different undisturbed wind velocities and rotor angular velocities two models were used — momentum and vortex-wake model, combined with experimentally measured airfoil data (airfoil lift and drag coefficients). Even though the former model is simpler, it is the most utilized model, known to provide good results in stationary working regimes. Both models still present fairly accurate and fast tools for computation and optimization, particularly useful in the phase of conceptual design. In this research, the use of the momentum model resulted in determination of the maximal power coefficient, optimal- and minimal freestream velocity for every considered VAWT model. From these output parameters, a selection of the optimal geometric model was done, and a more detailed transient analysis and flow representation around the selected solution was obtained by the vortex-wake model. The results obtained by the two used computational models coincide satisfactorily.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S. J. Savonius, The S-rotor and its applications, Mechanical Engineering, 53(5) (1931) 333–8.
G. J-M. Darrieus, Turbine having its rotating shaft transverse to the flow of the current, US Patent No. 1835081 (1931).
M. Islam, D. S-K. Ting and A. Fartaj, Aerodynamic models for Darrieus-type straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbines, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12 (2008) 1087–109.
W. A. Timmer, Aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbine blade airfoils at high angles-of-attack, TORQUE 2010: The Science of Making Torque from Wind, Greece (2010).
R. E. Sheldahl and P. C. Klimas, Aerodynamic characteristics of seven symmetrical airfoil sections through 180-degree angle of attack for use in aerodynamic analysis of vertical axis wind turbines, SANDIA Report SAND80-2114 UC-60, USA (1981).
M. S. Selig and B. D. McGranahan, Wind tunnel aerodynamic tests of six airfoils for use on small wind turbines, NREL/SR-500-34515, USA (2004).
M. S. Selig, J. J. Guillermo, A. P. Broeren and P. Giguere, Summary of low-speed airfoil data, SoarTech Publications, Virginia, USA (1995).
NWTC Design Codes (AirfoilPrep by Dr. Craig Hansen). http://wind.nrel.gov/designcodes/preprocessors/airfoilprep/.Lastmodified28-June-2012; accessed 28-June-2012.
G. F. Homicz, Numerical simulation of VAWT stochastic aerodynamic loads produced by atmospheric turbulence: VAWT-SAL Code, SANDIA Report SAN91-1124 UC-261, USA (1991).
I. Paraschivoiu, Wind turbine design: with emphasis on Darrieus concept, Polytechnic International Press, Montreal, Canada (2002).
G. M. Ferrari, Development of an aeroelastic simulation for the analysis of vertical-axis wind turbines, a doctoral thesis, The University of Auckland, New Zealand (2012).
B. Rašuo and A. Bengin, Optimization of wind farm layout, FME Transactions, 38 (2010) 107–14.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Recommended by Associate Editor Donghyun You
Jelena Svorcan received her M.Sc. degree at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Aeronautics in 2010. Ms. Svorcan is in the pursuit of her Ph.D. at the same university. Her main research interests include analytical analyses and numerical simulations of various flow phenomena.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Svorcan, J., Stupar, S., Komarov, D. et al. Aerodynamic design and analysis of a small-scale vertical axis wind turbine. J Mech Sci Technol 27, 2367–2373 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-013-0621-x
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-013-0621-x