Novel Induction Blade Design for Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines to Improve Starting Phase: CFD and Testing Analysis

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Michoacana, Morelia, Michoacan, México

2 Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Universidad Michoacana, Morelia, Michoacan, México

Abstract

This article introduces a novel Induction Blade (IB) prototype modeled by Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory, which develops higher torque during the starting phase for Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT), especially for micro-turbines. The IB is composed of two parallel blades joined at their tips and roots, forming a distinctive hole in the space between the blades that generates a Venturi effect as air passes through. This phenomenon in the IB hole together with the extra lift generated by the area of the second blade produce extra valuable torque during the starting phase. We used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate the aerodynamic properties of this design compared with a traditional blade design of the same radius. The IB and traditional prototypes were built (50W, diameter 0.62m, λ=9 and at speed rated 8m/s) by additive manufacturing in a 3D printer and their aerodynamic behaviors tested in a small wind tunnel (square section 0.7m x 0.7m). Our results using CFD analysis show that this novel IB produces up to 65% extra torque without losing output power for low wind velocity (5-8 m/s). IMPI (Mexican Institute of Industrial Protection) protects this prototype shape.

Keywords

References

Abdelgalil, E., B. M. Hanna, F. Castellani, A. S. Huzayyin, H. M. El-Batsh, B. Massimiliano and M. Becchetti (2019). Effect of Wind Tunnel Blockage on the Performance of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine with Different Blade Number. MDPI 12(10), 1988.##
Amiri, M., M. Kahrom and A. R. Teymourtash (2019). Aerodynamic Analysis of a Three-Bladed Pivoted Savonius Wind Turbine: Wind Tunnel Testing and Numerical Simulation. Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics 12(3), 819–829.##
Clausen, P. D. and D. H. Wood (1999). Research and development issues for small wind turbines. Renewable Energy 16(1-4–4 pt 2), 922–927.##
Clausen, P. D. and D. H. Wood (2000). Recent Advances in Small Wind Turbines Technology. Wind Engineering 24, 189–201.##
EL-Okda, Y. M. (2015). Design Methods of horizontal axis wind turbine rotor blades. International Journal Industrial Electronics and Dives 2, 135–150.##
Eltayesh, A., F. Castellani, M. Burlando, M. B. Hanna, A. S. Huzayyin, H. M. El-Batsh and M. Becchetti (2021). Experimental and numerical investigation of the effect of blade numer on the aerodynamic performance of a small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine. Alexandria Engineering Journal 60, 3931–3944.##
Hsiao, F. B., C. J. Bai and W. T. Chong (2013). The Permormance Test of Three Differente Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine HAWT Blade Shapes Using Experimental and Numerical Methods. Energies 6, 2784–2803.##
Hsu, C. H., J. L. Chen, S. C.Yuan and K. Y. Kung (2021). CFD simulation on the Rotor Dynamics of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines Activated from Stationary. Applied Mechanics 2, 147–158.##
Karthikeyan, N., K. K. Murugavel, S. A. Kumar and S. Rajakumar (2015). Review of aerodynamic developments on small horizontal axis wind turbine blade. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 42, 801–822.##
Khalil, Y., L. Tenghiri, F. Abdic and A. Bentamy (2018). Efficiency of a small wind turbine using BEM and CFD. International Conference on Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency 1, 1–10.##
Mayer, C., M. E. Bechly, M. Hampsey and D. H. Wood (2001). The starting behavior of a small horizontal axis wind turbine. Renewable Energy 22, 411–417.##
Pitteloud, J. D. and S. Gsänger (2017). Small Wind World Report.##
Ramarajan, J. and S. Jayavel (2022). Performance Improvement in Savonius Wind Turbine by Modification of Blade Shape. Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics 15(1), 99–107.##
Ryi, J., W. Rhee, U. Hwang and J. S. Choi (2014). Blockage effect correction for a scaled wind turbine rotor by using wind tunnel test data. Renewable Energy, 1–9.##
Schaffarczyk, A. P. (2014). Introduction to Wind Turbine Aerodynamics. Springer.##
Shen, X., H. Yang, J. Chen, X. Zhu and Z. Du (2015). Aerodynamic shape optimization and analysis of small wind turbine blades employing the Viterna approach for post-stall region. Energy Conversion and Management 119, 266–278.##
Singh, R. K. and M. R. Ahmed (2013). Blade design and performance testing of a small wind turbine rotor for low wind speed application. Renewable Energy 50, 812–819.##
Singh, R. K., M. R. Ahmed, M. Asid zullah and Y. H. Lee (2012). Design of a low Reynolds number airfoil for small horizontal axis wind turbines. Renewable Energy 42, 66–76.##
Tahani, M. and M. Moradi (2016). Aerodynamic Investigation of a Wind Turbine using CFD and Modified BEM Methods. Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics 9, 107–111.##
Tony Burton David Sharpe, N. J. and E. Bossanyi (2001). Wind Energy Handbook. Wiley.##
Vardar, A. and I. Alibas (2008). Research on wind turbine rotor models using NACA profiles. Renewable Energy 1, 1721–1732.##
Wood, D. H. (2001). A blade element estimation of the cut-in wind speed of a small turbine. Wind Engineering 25, 125–130.##
Wright, A. K. and D. H. Wood (2004). The starting and low wind speed behaviour of a small horizontal axis wind turbine. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 1, 1265–1279.##
Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics
Volume 15, Issue 6 - Serial Number 67
November and December 2022
Pages 1635-1648

Files

Cited by

History

  • Received: 07 March 2022
  • Revised: 23 June 2022
  • Accepted: 25 June 2022
  • Available online: 07 September 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics