2D CFD Transient analysis of Darrieus H type

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Summer Training Report

Submitted by

Kaushik Kumar Saikia

B. Tech 4th Semester, Mechanical Engineering Dept.

NIT Silchar

Dated: 29 June, 2015

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Guwahati-781039, India

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 ABSTRACT
Vertical axis wind turbines like the Darrieus H type can be used for generation of power at
low wind speed. Detailed numerical analysis has been carried out to study the flow physics
which leads to power production in a VAWT.
2D transient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is utilized to study the
aerodynamics of a 3 bladed Darrieus H type wind rotor using ANSYS Fluent 14.5 under the
Standard K-epsilon, K-ω SST and Standard for a TSR range 1.5 to 6. The fluid zone has a
large stationary domain(stator) and rotating sub-domain(rotating-region) connected by a
sliding mesh interface. The 3D structure of is analysed to understand the physical processes
responsible for power production. The outcome of this study would determine peak
parameters of power generation.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of my guide Dr. U.K. Saha, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian
Institute of Technology, Guwahati. I am highly indebted to you, Sir for the guidance and
constant supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the project.
I would like to thank Mr. Prasenjit Mukherjee for the co-operation and encouragement and
for helping me out with the various simulation work which helped me in the completion of
this project.
I would like to express my special gratitude and thanks to both of you, Sir, for giving me such
attention and time.

Kaushik Kumar Saikia

B. Tech,
Mechanical Engineering Dept., NIT Silchar

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Contents

Chapter Topic Page no.

Abstract 2

Acknowledgement 3

Contents 4-5

List of Figures 5-8

Nomenclature and Keywords 9

1. Introduction 9

1.1 Background 9

1.2 Vertical-axis wind turbines 10

1.3 Air foil 11

1.4 Aerodynamic Forces 11

1.5 Governing equations 13

1.6 NACA 4 digit series 13

1.7 Betz Law 14

1.8 CFD and Numerical Model 14

1.9 Experimental Rotor features 14

2. CAD Model and Fluent Set Up 15

2.1 Design Modeller and Mesh Set up 15

2.2 Fluent Set up 17

2.3 Performance parameters 18

2.4 Aerodynamic characteristics 19

2.5 Validation of CFD model 19

3. Analysis using K-€ viscous model 20

3.1 Contours 25

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 3.2 Results and Graphs 27

4. Analysis using K-ω SST viscous model 30

4.1 Set Up 30

4.2 Contours 31

4.3 Results and Graphs 33

5. Analysis using K-ω Standard viscous model 34

5.1 Set Up 34

5.2 Contours 35

5.3 Results and Graphs 37

6. Conclusion 38

Improvements 39

Further Research 40

7. References 40

List of Figures
Figure Page no.
no.
1.1 Different Vertical Axis Wind Turbine models 10

1.2 Darrieus H-type VAWT model 11

1.3 Force of lift on the Airfoil 12

1.4 Aerodynamic Forces on the airfoil 13

1.5 Geometry of NACA 4415 14

2.1 Completed Design Modeller 15

2.2 Fluent Box 15

2.3 Sizing Parameters in Mesh Set up 16

2.4 Named sections 16

2.5 Fluent Box updated 16

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2.6 Resulting mesh 17

2.7 Fluent Launcher 17

2.8 General Solver 18

3.1 Viscous model 20

3.2 Cell Zone Conditions 20

3.3 Static Stator 20

3.4 Mesh Motion put to rotor 21

3.5 Boundary Conditions 21

3.6 Inlet put to Rotational Moving Wall 21

3.7 Inlet 22

3.8 Outlet defined as Pressure outlet 22

3.9 Walls 22

3.10 Interface 23

3.11 Reference values 23

3.12 Reference Zone 23

3.13 Solution Methods 24

3.14 Residual Monitors 24

3.15 Monitors 24

3.16 Initialization 25

3.17 Calculation Box 25

3.18 Contour of Turbulent Energy and Intensity 26

3.19 Contour of Velocity Magnitude 26

3.20 Contour of mesh 26

3.21 Coloured velocity vectors 26

3.22 Contour of Vorticity magnitude 27

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3.23 Contour of Vorticity magnitude 27

3.24 Contour of Vorticity magnitude 27

3.25 Contour of Vorticity magnitude 27

3.26 Contour of Vorticity magnitude 27

3.27 Contour of Vorticity magnitude 27

3.28 Contour of static Pressure 27

3.29 Contour of dynamic Pressure 27

3.30 General Cm vs Flow Time 28

3.31 cm-history document 28

3.32 cm-history values plotted in MS Excel 29

3.33 Table with CP 29

3.34 CP vs TSR graph 30

4.1 Viscous model 31

4.2 Contours of static pressure 31

4.3 Contours of dynamic pressure 31

4.4 Velocity Contours 31

4.5 Contour of turbulent kinetic energy 32

4.6 Contour of turbulent intensity. 32

4.7 Stagnation point at airfoil 32

4.8 Stagnation point at airfoils 32

4.9 Stagnation point at airfoils 32

4.10 Vorticity magnitude at different values 33

4.11 Vorticity magnitude at different values 33

4.12 General Cm vs Flow Time 33

4.13 Cm values in MS Excel 34

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4.14 Table with Cp 34

4.15 Graph of Cp vs TSR 35

5.1 Viscous model 35

5.2 Contour of Dynamic pressure 36

5.3 Contour of Static pressure respectively. 36

5.4 Contour of velocity magnitude 36

5.5 Contour of Turbulent Kinetic energy 36

5.6 Contour of Turbulent Intensity 36

5.7 Stagnation point at the airfoil 37

5.8 Stagnation point at the airfoil 37

5.9 Stagnation point at the airfoil 37

5.10 Contour of Vorticity magnitude at different magnitude 37

5.11 Contour of Vorticity magnitude at different magnitude 37

5.12 Contour of Vorticity magnitude at different magnitude 38

5.13 Contour of Vorticity magnitude at different magnitude 38

5.14 Contour of Vorticity magnitude at different magnitude 38

5.15 Contour of Vorticity magnitude at different magnitude 38

5.16 General Cm vs Flow Time 38

5.17 Table with calculated Cp 39

5.18 Cp vs TSR 39

6.1 Savonius-Darrieus Wind Turbine 40

6.2 Top View of Savonius-Darrieus Wind Turbine 41

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Nomenclature
C blade chord [m]
A swept area [m2]
CD drag coefficient
CL lift coefficient
CP power coefficient
N,n blades number
R turbine radius [m]
ρ air density [kg/m3]
TSR Tip Speed Ratio

Keywords
Wind Turbine
Airfoil
Power Coefficient
Tip Speed Ratio
Lift

1. Introduction

1.1 Background
Non-renewable energy sources have fueled the world’s industrial complex for far too long. It
has reached a point where the word is facing rapid starvation in this sector. There are also
other associated effects too which also need to be carefully looked at just to make sure things
are running as intended. However, this is not the case. With increased exploitation of these
fossil fuels, there are many associated environmental effects like land pollution and air
pollution which in turn affect both animal and plant life. The far-reaching consequences of
non-renewable sources are inexplicable and the trend has to be reversed.
The many types of renewable energy resources-such as wind and solar energy-are constantly
replenished and will never run out.
Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight, or solar
energy, can be used directly for heating and lighting homes and other buildings, for
generating electricity, and for hot water heating, solar cooling, and a variety of commercial
and industrial uses.

Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by
the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns
are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover. This wind flow, or
motion energy, when "harvested" by modernwind turbines, can be used to
generate electricity.Therefore the sun's heat drives the winds, whose energy, is captured
with wind turbines.

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Wind turbines are used to generate electricity from the kinetic power of the wind.. There are
two main kinds of wind generators, those with a vertical axis, and those with a horizontal
axis. Wind turbines can be used to generate large amounts of electricity in wind farms both
onshore and offshore. Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy in the wind
turns two or three propeller-like blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main
shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a
shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.

1.2 Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs)

VAWTs have the main rotor shaft vertical to the wind. VAWTs do not need to be pointed
into the wind which removes the need for wind-sensing and orientation mechanisms. Drag-
type VAWTs such as the Savonius rotor typically operate at lower tip speed ratios than lift-
based VAWTs such as Darrieus rotors. They are omni-directional and do not need to face the
wind. Also replacement is less costly and simpler. This kind of wind turbine can overcome
the limits due to the size of the blades and their rotation speed. The total size is smaller.

Fig 1.1: Different Vertical Axis Wind Turbine models

The Darrieus wind turbine is a type of vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) used to
generate electricity from the energy carried in the wind. The turbine consists of a number of
curved aerofoil blades mounted on a vertical rotating shaft or framework. The curvature of
the blades allows the blade to be stressed only in tension at high rotating speeds. There are
several closely related wind turbines that use straight blades.Darrieus wind turbines are
not self-starting. Therefore a small powered motor is required to start off the rotation, and
then when it has enough speed the wind passing across the aerofoils starts to generate torque
and the rotor is driven around by the wind. An alternative is shown in the illustration above.

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 Fig 1.2: Darrieus H-type VAWT model

When the Darrieus rotor is spinning, the aerofoils are moving forward through the air in a
circular path. Relative to the blade, this oncoming airflow is added vectorially to the wind, so
that the resultant airflow creates a varying small positive angle of attack (AoA) to the blade.
This generates a net force pointing obliquely forwards along a certain 'line-of-action'. This
force can be projected inwards past the turbine axis at a certain distance, giving a positive
torque to the shaft, thus helping it to rotate in the direction it is already travelling in.

1.3 Airfoil
Airfoil is the shape of a wing or blade used as a propeller, rotor or turbine. An airfoil-shaped
body moved through a fluid produces an aerodynamic force. The component of this force
perpendicular to the direction of motion is called lift. The component parallel to the direction
of motion is called drag. Lift and drag are then measured perpendicular and parallel to the
relative wind. Lift is not generally vertical and not generally perpendicular to the chord of
the wing, it is the component of force perpendicular to the relative velocity of the air or the
relative wind. Angle of attack is the angle between the relative velocity and the chord line of
the airfoil. The chord line is the straight line from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the
airfoil. The pitch angle is defined as the angle between the longitudinal axis of the aircraft
and the horizon. The basic principle behind an aerofoil is described by Bernoullis theorem.
Air that travels over the top surface of the aerofoil has to travel faster and thus gains dynamic
pressure. As the angle of attack (the angle between the chord line and relative air flow) is
increased, more lift is created.
1.4 Aerodynamic Forces
Many factors contribute to the total lift produced by an airfoil. Increased speed causes
increased lift because a larger pressure differential is produced between the upper and lower
surfaces. Lift does not increase in direct proportion to speed, but varies as the square of the
speed. Angle of attack also has an effect on the lift produced. Lift increases as the angle of
attack increases up to the stalling angle of attack. Stall angle varies with different blades and
is the point at which airflow no longer follows the camber of the blade smoothly. Two design
factors, airfoil shape and airfoil area are primary elements that determine how much lift and
drag a blade will produce. Any change in these design factors will affect the forces produced.

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Angle of Attack: The angle of attack of a turbine blade is the angle between the direction of
the apparent or relative wind and the chord line of the blade. Increasing the angle of attack
increases the area of the aerofoil facing directly into the wind. This increases the lift but it
also increases the drag.
Airfoils as Wind Turbine Blades: Wind Turbines extract energy from the force of the wind on
an aerofoil, in this case a turbine blade. The relative motion between the air flow and the
turbine blade, is the same as for the aircraft wing, but in this case the wind is in motion
towards the turbine blades and the blades are passive so that the external thrust provided by
the moving air flow is in the opposite direction to the thrust provided by the aircraft wing.
The turbine blades thus experience lift and drag forces, similar to the aircraft wing, which set
the blades in motion transferring the wind energy into the kinetic energy of the blades. They
have multiple blades which balance each other, so that the gravitational effects cancel out and
the torque on the rotor is constant.The turbine blades are connected to a single rotor shaft and
the force of the wind along the length of the blades creates a torque which turns the rotor.
the magnitude and direction of the lift and drag with respect to the aerofoil profile will be
constant throughout the full 360° rotation of the turbine rotor but the direction of the lift with
respect to the ground will depend on the position of the rotor.

Fig 1.3: Force of lift on the Airfoil

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 Fig 1.4: Aerodynamic Forces on the airfoil

1.5 Governing equations

Computational Fluid Dynamics is based on governing differential equation and applicability
of these governing equations depend on the nature of flow. Three basic equations which
determine the output of a wind turbine include the conservation equations of Mass,
Momentum and Energy.
Continuity equation is the conservation of mass given by

Navier Stokes equation of incompressible flow given as

1.6 NACA 4 digit series

NACA 4 digit airfoil family is defined as a group of airfoils designated by four number where
each number has its own significance. NACA 4415 where the first 4 refers to maximum
camber as percentage of chord length, second 4 refers to maximum camber from the leading
edge in tenth of percentage, the other two digits signify maximum thickness of airfoil as
percentage of chord. In the present study NACA 4415 airfoil has been used.

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Co ordinates given by

y= √ ( ) ( ) ( )

Where:

c is the chord length of the airfoil

x is the position along chord from 0 to c

y is the half thickness at a given value of x

t is the maximum thickness as a fraction of chord

Fig 1.5: Geometry of NACA 4415

1.7 Betz Law
According to Betz law we can only derive 59% energy from wind turbines. 100% wind
energy generation is simply not possible. Herein the capacity or ability of a generator to
convert kinetic energy into electric energy is not under question. Rather the structure and
mechanism of wind turbine has limitations in converting the wind energy into 100% kinetic
energy owing to which we cannot take full benefit of wind energy. Betz law basically talks
about how a wind turbine cannot extract more than 59.3 % of Kinetic energy from the wind.
Under Ideal conditions or theoretically the maximum energy that can be extracted from the
wind is called the Power coefficient which is a ratio between the amount of energy that can
be extracted by a Wind turbine to the total energy in the Wind.

1.8 CFD Numerical Model

The process of generating the 2D CFD model of a VAWT of Darrieus H type done by Solid
works and importing the same to ANSYS Workbench platform, where it is possible to
develop a workflow starting from the CAD generation to post processing of results. The
workflow of the model was as follows:
1. Generation of the rotating sub domain in Solid works
2. High quality meshing of the structure
3. Setting the Fluent Solver and calibrating the model
4. Post Processing the results

1.9 Experimental Rotor features

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Number of blades: 3
Bade Airfoil: NACA 4415
Blade Chord length: 1 metre
Radius: 1.375 metre
These rotors were chosen to generalize the CFD model for different geometrical dimensions
and different airfoils.

2. CAD Model and Fluent Set Up

2.1 Design Modeler set up
A 2D design modeller set up. The rotating region consists of 3 NACA 4415 airfoils. The
rotating region first made in DS Solid Works and imported to Design Modeler using import
external Geometry function. Next the static region or stator made with the rectangle feature
shaped by lines from sketches and surfaces from sketches. Upon completion the geometry has
the Rotating-region or central rotor with a radius of 1.375 metres.

Fig 2.1: Completed Design Modeller

The Fluent Box displays as:

Fig 2.2: Fluent Box

Mesh Set up:
The 2D geometry gets imported to mesh set up upon opening the Mesh set up window. Mesh
created using sizing parameter the input commands of which are Proximity and Curvature for
Advanced Size function, Fine for relevance centre, High for smoothing and fine for Span

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angle centre. The numerical inputs for Maximum and Minimum Size are 0.5 and 5E-3
respectively.

Fig 2.3: Sizing Parameters in Mesh Set up

Fig 2.4: Named sections

The Fluent box displayed as:

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 Fig 2.5: Fluent Box updated

Fig 2.6: The resulting mesh

2.2 Fluent Set up
The fluent dialog box appears and the following commands are put forward-

Fig 2.7: Fluent Launcher

Transient Mode is selected-

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 Fig 2.8: General Solver
2.3 Performance parameters
Tip Speed Ratio is a ratio of linear velocity of blades to the free stream velocity of wind. It is
a dimensionless parameter defined by

λ=

Where, λ=Tip Speed Ratio

R=Rotor Radius
ω=Angular Velocity of Rotor Blade
V=Wind Velocity
TSR is an important parameter that affects the power generation capability and power output
of a wind turbine and proper design has to be applied to optimize and increase TSR values for
a particular Wind Turbine. Angle of Attack is a variable quantity when the turbine is rotating
and is found to inversely vary with the TSR. So higher TSR leads to lower Angle of Attack
and vice versa.
Coefficient of Performance( CP) is a parameter that describes how efficiently wind power is
utilized and transformed into useful power of turbine. It depends on the type of airfoils, blade
thickness and Reynold’s Number. Experiments suggests that an increase in thickness leads to
an increase in performance of the turbine. So CP can be defined as ratio of power extracted by
the turbine and the available powerof the wind.

Cp=

Cp =

Where, A= Area of the rotor

ρ=Density of the surrounding fluid
V=velocity of the incoming wind
Coefficient of Performance is directly proportional to the Radius of the rotor. It increases
with the size of the rotor.

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Solidity factor is another important that determines the performance of a wind turbine.
Optimization of number of blades is essential to determine maximum power output of a wind
turbine. If the number of rotor blades are less it may rotate at a much faster rate to sweep out
as much wind as possible thus contributing to maximum power output. If turbine has more
blades than is necessary, it may obstruct the flow of wind. Aerodynamic loading also
influences the number of blades of a turbine.

Solidity =

N= Number of blades
C= Blade chord length
R= Rotor radius

2.4 Aerodynamic characteristics

In a VAWT blades are not required to face the wind direction thus orientation may not affect
the poweroutput of a VAWT as in the case of a Horizontal Axis Turbine. Also Centre of
gravity lies near the ground as the generator is mounted somewhere close to the ground thus
lower CoG leads to better stability. However, when a VAWT rotates wind flow produces
high Drag Force causing a ‘yaw’ phenomenon.

λ OPTIMUM =

describes optimum TSR for a particular number of blades suggested by Cetin et al.
N=number of blades
In the present study, λ optimum is 4.18

2.5 Validation of CFD model

Blade aerodynamics calculated from moment coefficient equations, unlike lift and drag
coefficient equations, respectively there is an additional factor Rrotor which is the rotor radius
for VAWT. In VAWT equations, the expression for Coefficient of Moment remains the same
because we are getting the blade force coefficient and not the rotor coefficient. Moment
coefficient referred from the VAWT rotation axis.
Moment coefficient expressed as

Cm=

T=blade torque
A=VAWT Projected Area
ρ=fluid density
U=free stream wind velocity

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CL=

CD=

CL and CD are coefficient of Lift and Drag respectively.

3. Analysis using K-€ model

The sequence of steps follows the pattern:

 For the viscous model k-epsilon Standard model selected-

Fig 3.1: Viscous model

 The Cell Zone has two parts, first is the stator which is put to rest and the rotating-
region made to rotate at -120 RPM by giving Mesh Motion.

Fig 3.2: Cell Zone Conditions

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 Fig 3.3: Static Stator

Fig 3.4: Mesh Motion put to rotor

 The boundary Conditions include Blades, Inlet, Outlet, Walls etc.

Fig 3.5: Boundary Conditions

 Blades are given Moving Wall-Rotational type motion.

Fig 3.6: Inlet put to Rotational Moving Wall

 Inlet given a velocity of 10 m/s.

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 Fig 3.7: Inlet

Fig 3.8: Outlet defined as Pressure outlet

 Walls are put to symmetry.

Fig 3.9: Walls

 An interface is created.

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 Fig 3.10: Interface

 The Reference values are plotted as:

Fig 3.11: Reference values

Area, A=1.375m*1.375m*3.1415=5.93m2
Length= 1.375 m
Temperature=288.16K
Enthalpy=0
Reference Zone is the rotating-region.

Fig 3.12: Reference Zone

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 Solution Methods plotted as:

Fig 3.13: Solution Methods

 The Residual Monitors put to the negative power of 5.

Fig 3.14: Residual Monitors

 All the monitors are given commands to Plot, Print and Write.

Fig 3.15: Monitors

 For the solution Initialization part, the solution computed from Inlet and initialized.

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 Fig 3.16: Initialization

 Maximum iterations per Time Step=50 to 15. The calculation is run.

Fig 3.17: Calculation Box

3.1 Contours

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Following are the contours of the structure at maximum CP :

Fig 3.18: Contours of Turbulent Kinetic Energy and Turbulent Intensity

Fig 3.19 & 3.20: Contour of Velocity Magnitude and the mesh respectively

Fig 3.21: Coloured velocity vectors

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 Fig 3.22-3.27: Contours of Vorticity magnitudes for a range of values

Fig 3.28 & 3.29: Contours of static and dynamic Pressure respectively
3.2 Results and Graphs

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Fig 3.30: General Cm vs Flow Time
The Cm history file gets saved in the set up folder location, which converted to ‘Notepad’
format.

Fig 3.31: cm-history document

The file than plotted on MS Excel using ‘from text’ function. The average of Cm calculated
using ‘formula>average’ function. The average value of Cm obtained. Calculation of CP
involves the following formula:
Cp =Cm×TSR

So, Cm can directly give the value of Power coefficient.

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 Fig 3.32: cm-history values plotted in MS Excel
The following table obtained by calculating the average of CM history values.

Fig 3.33: Table with CP

Maximum Value of Cp obtained for TSR=4.18

A graph is plotted between Cp and TSR which takes the following shape:

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 Fig 3.34: CP vs TSR graph.

4. Analysis using K-ω SST viscous model

One of the main problems in turbulence modeling is the accurate prediction of flow
separation from a smooth surface. Standard two-equation turbulence models often fail to
predict the onset and the amount of flow separation under adverse pressure gradient
conditions. In general, turbulence models based on the €-equation predict the onset of
separation too late and under-predict the amount of separation later on. This is problematic,
as this behavior gives an overly optimistic performance characteristic for an airfoil. The
prediction is therefore not on the conservative side from an engineering stand-point. The
models developed to solve this problem have shown a significantly more accurate prediction
of separation in a number of test cases and in industrial applications. Currently, the most
prominent two-equation models in this area are the k-ω based models. The k-ω based Shear-
Stress-Transport (SST) model was designed to give a highly accurate predictions of the onset
and the amount of flow separation under adverse pressure gradients by the inclusion of
transport effects into the formulation of the eddy-viscosity. This results in a major
improvement in terms of flow separation predictions.

4.1 Set Up

Design Modeler and Mesh set up are similar to those of k-€ set ups.

Fluent Set Up

The viscous model is SST K-ω.

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 Fig 4.1: Viscous model

The other inputs are same as that of k-€ set up.

4.2 Contours

The contours of TSR=4.18 are:

Fig 4.2 & 4.3: Contours of static and dynamic pressure

Fig 4.4: Velocity Contours

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Fig 4.5 & 4.6: Contours of turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent intensity

Fig 4.7, 4.8 & 4.9: Stagnation points at airfoils 1, 2 & 3

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 Fig 4.10 & 4.11: Vorticity magnitudes at different values

4.3 Graphs and Results

Fig 4.12: General Cm vs Flow Time

Plots of TSR and CP plotted on a graph in MS Excel. The data extracted from Cm history file
written to the set up file. These data plotted on MS Excel using ‘from text’ function.

33
 Fig 4.13: Cm values in MS Excel

The average value calculated which gives an average value of Cm. The following table
obtained for different TSR:

Fig 4.14: Table with Cp

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Plots of TSR and CP:

Fig 4.15: Graph of Cp vs TSR

As expected, maximum CP obtained at TSR= 4.18. Maximum CP is 0.305.

5. Analysis using K-ω Standard viscous model

5.1 Set up
The Design modeller and Mesh set up are similar to that of other models. However the
viscous model undertaken is K-ω Standard.

Fig 5.1: Viscous model

5.2 Contours

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Contours of maximum CP:

Fig 5.2 & 5.3: Contours of Dynamic and static pressure respectively

Fig 5.4: Contours of velocity magnitude

Fig 5.5 & 5.6: Contours of Turbulent Kinetic energy and Turbulent Intensity

36
 Fig 5.7, 5.8 & 5.9: Stagnation points at each of the airfoils

Fig 5.10-5.11: Contours of Vorticity magnitudes at different magnitudes

37
Fig 5.12-5.15: Contours of Vorticity magnitudes at different magnitudes
5.3 Results and Graphs

Fig 5.16: General Cm vs Flow Time

Plots of TSR and CP are plotted. Following table obtained:

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 Fig 5.17: Table with calculated Cp
Maximum CP obtained is 0.28.

Fig 5.18: Cp vs TSR

6.1 Conclusion

In this study, wind tunnel experiment and numerical analysis were conducted on a Darrieus
H-type VAWT with 3 NACA 4415 airfoil blades. Following can be derived from the present
numerical study:

 In a high TSR range, as the rotational speed increases, drag force also increases.
Therefore, a model with high solidity produces a low power coefficient because it is
affected by a stronger drag force. Hence a low power coefficient has been obtained in
the present study.
 In terms of power coefficient at varying TSR, the highest efficiency occurs at the TSR
of 4.18 as suggested by the law
λ OPTIMUM =

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  Blades of VAWT can be made longer since the blades experience much lesser
gravity-induced bending stress than the blades of HAWT.

Use of VAWTs brings in a couple of advantages:

 In terms of Costs: Lesser blade material used compared to HAWT as rotor becomes
larger and lesser manufacturing costs as the blade is uniform and can be made into
similar segments, eliminating contour complexity as in HAWT blade. Also lesser
installation cost since the rotor can be transported as smaller segments and joined at a
very much lower altitude on site, eliminating the use of specialized transportation and
installation tools.
 In terms of ease of Operation: It is structurally more stable with COG at the bottom of
the rotor compared to the top-heavy HAWT, in which the effect is significant as the
rotor becomes larger and being installed at deep water.A Darrieus VAWT is able to
capture gust wind from every direction instantaneously.

6.2 Improvements

Use of turbines which contain blades with their pitch modified during revolution to extract
maximum kinetic energy from the wind can lead to better results. Although such models are
complicated in design and manufacturing, yet promises better over all performance. In the
combined design of Savonius Darrieus rotors, Savonius rotor mounted above or below the
Darrieus rotor exhibits better performance than the former mounted within the latter. Also
three-bladed design of the combined Savonius Darrieus rotors have higher power coefficient
than two-bladed designs. Camber airfoils have the potential to self start if used for vertical
wind axis wind turbines.

Fig 6.1: Combined Savonius-Darrieus

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 Fig 6.2: Top View of Savonius-Darrieus Wind Turbine

6.3 Further Research

With the soaring energy demands, an urge to explore the Vertical Axis Wind Turbines has
become the focal point of various active research fronts. The scientific community is
revisiting the inkling to tap the wind resources in more rigorous and novel ways. 3D CFD
analysis can be very accurate and therefore has to be the given prominence. Apart from
Standard and SST K-ω model, other models have to be taken into consideration. The
maximum Coefficient of power can be obtained by optimising solidity. Also variable-pitch
systems can be adopted. Specific airfoils which contribute to the production of maximum Lift
Force has to be utilised in the blades of turbines. Also effect of thickness on power
coefficient has to be thoroughly studied.

7. References

 M.H. Mohamed, A.M. Ali, A.A. Hafiz. CFD analysis for H-rotor Darrieus turbine as
a low speed wind energy converter
 Xin Jin, Gaoyuan Zhao, KeJun Gao, Wenbin Ju. Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine:
Basic research methods
 A. Ghosh, A. Biswas, K.K. Sharma, R. Gupta. Computational analysis of flow physics
of a combined three bladed Darrieus Savonius wind rotor
 Rossetti, G. Pavesi. Comparison of different numerical approaches to the study of the
H-Darrieus turbines start-up
 M.H. Mohammed. Performance investigation of H-rotor Darrieus turbine with new
airfoil shapes

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 Marco Raciti Castelli, Alessandro Englaro, Ernesto Benini. The Darrieus wind turbine:
Proposal for a new performance prediction model based on CFD
 Alssandro Bianchini, Giovanni Ferrara, Lorenzo Ferrari. Design guidelines for H-
Darrieus wind turbines: Optimization of the annual energy yield
 Young Tae Lee, Hee-Chang Lim. Numerical study of the aerodynamic performance of
a 500 W Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbine
 Mazharul Islam, David S.K. Ting, Amir Fartaj. Aerodynamic models for Darrieus-type
straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbines
 Gabriele Bedon, Marco Raciti Castelli, Ernesto Benini. Optimization of a Darrieus
vertical-axis wind turbine using blade element – momentum theory and evolutionary
algorithm
 Fernando L. Ponta, Pablo M. Jacovkis. A vortex model for Darrieus turbine using
finite element techniques
 Nobuyuki Fujisawa, Satoshi Shibuya. Observations of dynamic stall on Darrieus wind
turbine blades
 M.N. Nahas. A self-starting darrieus-type windmill
 Furukawa, Y.Takamatsu, K. Okuma, K.Takenouchi. Optimum Design of the Darrieus-
Type Cross Flow Water Turbine for Low Head Water Power
 G. Bergeles, A. Michos, N. Athanassiadis. Velocity vector and turbulence in the
symmetry plane of a Darrieus wind generator
 Rosen, H. Abramovich. Investigation of the structural behavior of the blades of a
darrieus wind turbine
 P. Vittecoq, A. Laneville. The aerodynamic forces for a darrieus rotor with straight
blades: Wind Tunnel measurements
 G. E. April, G. Oliver, R. P. Bouchard. Control schemes for darrieus wind turbines
 E. William Beans. Approximate aerodynamic analysis for multi-blade darrieus wind
turbines
 Fluid Mechanics 2nd Edition. Pijush K. Kundu, Ira M. Cohen.
 Fundamental Mechanics of Fluids 3rd edition. I. G. Currie.
 Fluent Learning Modules, Cornell University.
https://confluence.cornell.edu/display/SIMULATION/FLUENT+Learning+Modules

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