Sedgman, Kristan (2016) Analysis of circular section blade profiles in a simple peripheral drag VAWT: design investigations and performance modelling. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
Global demand for off grid power generation in remote and rural locations and in low socio-economic communities has renewed interest in the use of hybrid Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs). This type of wind turbine is more easily manufactured using simple construction techniques and materials than other wind turbine designs. They are also able to produce useable power at lower wind speeds. The use of a simple numerical modelling tool to predict the behaviour of novel hybrid Savonius and Simple Peripheral Drag (SPD) turbines would allow analysis of the performance of designs prior to construction. This would allow tailoring of a turbine design to specific local operating conditions. To enable this, investigations were undertaken to ascertain the usefulness of CFD in data generation of SPD blade performance data using ANSYS software, correlated with wind tunnel experiments. This data was then used in a MATLAB simulation script to predict the behaviour of numerically modelled turbines using a range of variables.
While useful in showing the characteristics of flow around individual SPD blades, the CFD data generated did not reflect the wind tunnel results accurately, and the wind tunnel data was used for numerical modelling in its place. The quasi-static numerical model created in MATLAB showed that increasing turbine radius increased acceleration but reduced maximum velocity. Additionally it was seen that 180° arc angle SPD blades gave better acceleration and maximum at lower wind speeds but with lower maximum velocity at higher wind speeds. However no wind tunnel correlations were undertaken and the accuracy of the model was unable to be determined. It is suggested, however, that due to the complex nature of turbulent flow around the turbine blades, the quasi-static modelling approach may have limited applicability. Further research into modelling methods may be required before reliable predictions of performance can be made.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Major Mechanical Engineering project |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Helwig, Andreas; Malpress, Ray |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jul 2017 22:58 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2017 22:58 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | grid power generation in; wind turbine design; novel hybrid Savonius; Simple Peripheral Drag (SPD) turbines; circular section blade profiles; VAWT; performance modelling |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 09 Engineering > 0913 Mechanical Engineering > 091302 Automation and Control Engineering |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 40 ENGINEERING > 4007 Control engineering, mechatronics and robotics > 400799 Control engineering, mechatronics and robotics not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/31477 |
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