Aerodynamic Performance of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines

Abstract

The nonstationary separated incompressible flows around Darrieus and Savonius rotors of vertical-axis wind turbines were investigated through computational simulation using the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations and Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model. The implicit finite-volume algorithm, the basis of which was artificial compressibility method, was chosen to obtain the numerical solution. The series of computational and physical experiments for Darrieus rotors with varied numbers and shapes of blades were performed. The detailed visualization of the flow was presented. The turbulent flows surrounding the Darrieus and Savonius rotors were studied, and as a part of these investigations, the major phases of vortex progress were identified. For this purpose, three series of computer tests on the aerodynamic and power properties of Savonius rotors with two and three buckets were performed, and their results are also presented. The influence of tip-speed ratio, solidity, and Reynolds numbers on the power coefficients of the Darrieus and Savonius rotors was investigated. It has been demonstrated that increasing Reynolds number from 104 to 106 causes a rise in Darrieus rotors power coefficient from 0.15 up to 0.5. The maximum values of power coefficient are moved away from higher values of tip-speed ratio from 2 to 5 as a result of a decrease in Darrieus rotor solidity from 1.0 to 0.33. The greatest power coefficient for a Savonius rotor with two blades is 0.23 and for a Savonius rotor with three blades is 0.19.