Performance analysis of a vertical axis wind turbine using computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have gained popularity in the last few decades due to their numerous advantages when deployed in urban areas. Despite this, Vertical axis wind turbines have complex aerodynamics, dynamic stall, hence lower performance. Low/zero starting torque, noise, visual impact, as well as blade safeness are further hurdles when they are fitted into the physical environment. Due to these pertinent issues that comes to play in a vertical axis wind turbine, the current investigation explores an augmented vertical axis wind turbine (AVAWT) having a rotor and a stator. The outcome of the study highlighted the effect of mesh density and the type of turbulence model selected in the determination of the forces being exerted on the blade using computational fluid dynamics. Investigation into the effect of time steps showed lesser effect of this parameter on the performance of the blade computationally. The newly developed augmented turbine blades improved the output power by 1.35 times in comparison to an open rotor. The shape for the conical surface and the stator blade impacted the performance as well. Furthermore, it was deduced that there was higher dynamic stall for scenarios where the tip speed ratios were lower. The study showed the importance of the stator in a vertical axis wind turbine in ensuring that the incoming wind attains some acceleration as well as creating a lower pressure outlet but overall aids in the improvement of the power and torque coefficients by more than 36%.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125892
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Engineering and Technology > Mechanical, Biomedical & Design
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Aston Institute of Urban Technology and the Environment (ASTUTE)
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI)
Aston University (General)
Additional Information: Copyright: This author accepted manuscript is available under a CC-BY-NC-ND (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) license once the embargo period ends. Any attribution to the article should be made to the Version of Record which can be found at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125892
Uncontrolled Keywords: Aerodynamics,Computational fluid dynamics,Vertical axis wind turbine,Civil and Structural Engineering,Modelling and Simulation,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Building and Construction,Fuel Technology,Energy Engineering and Power Technology,Pollution,Mechanical Engineering,General Energy,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering,Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Publication ISSN: 0360-5442
Last Modified: 02 Dec 2024 08:46
Date Deposited: 12 Dec 2023 13:21
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
https://www.sci ... 7785?via%3Dihub (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2023-01-15
Published Online Date: 2022-11-03
Accepted Date: 2022-10-24
Authors: Wilberforce, Tabbi (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-1250-1745)
Alaswad, Abed (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-7828-7924)

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