CFD Investigation and Optimization on the Aerodynamic Performance of a Savonius Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Its Installation in a Hybrid Power Supply System: A Case Study in Iran

Shayan Farajyar, Farzad Ghafoorian, Mehdi Mehrpooya () and Mohammadreza Asadbeigi
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Shayan Farajyar: Science and Research Branch, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Art, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 17776-13651, Iran
Farzad Ghafoorian: Turbomachinery Research Laboratory, Department of Energy Conversion, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 13114-16846, Iran
Mehdi Mehrpooya: Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 14399-56191, Iran
Mohammadreza Asadbeigi: Turbomachinery Research Laboratory, Department of Energy Conversion, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 13114-16846, Iran

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-31

Abstract: In this study, a 3D-CFD simulation on the effect of various design and operating parameters, namely the number of blades, overlap ratio, spacing size, arc angle, shape factor, presence of curtain, wind velocity, and multi-bucket rotor, on the aerodynamic performance of a Savonius vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is conducted. In order to evaluate the effect of each parameter, the rotor’s power coefficient (Cp) for different tip speed ratio (TSR) values and overall torque as a function of the azimuth angle are investigated. The results show that the generated power of a solid rotor with more buckets is less than that of the two-bladed rotor, and by decreasing the overlap ratio and spacing size, Cp values are enhanced. Moreover, a rotor with a larger bucket arc angle has less Cp value and total torque, in addition to shape factor, which changes the configuration of the rotor by adding arms, thus enhancing the aerodynamic performance of the prototype. Furthermore, it is shown that installing a curtain in the upstream section of the rotor improves Cp value by directing airflow. Moreover, it is observed that by increasing inlet wind velocity and, subsequently, the Reynolds number, generated power is boosted. In addition, it is noted that a suitable multi-bucket rotor configuration can boost generated power. Finally, the optimum design is achieved by using the Kriging method. Based on the optimization results, a 2-bladed Savonius VAWT with an overlap ratio of 0, spacing size of 0 (m), arc angle of 170°, shape factor of 0.5, and inlet wind velocity of 12 (m/s) at TSR = 0.37 introduces the highest efficiency.

Keywords: vertical axis wind turbine; Savonius wind turbine; power coefficient; torque coefficient; CFD simulation; tip speed ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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