Ikonwa, CA, Gale, WF orcid.org/0000-0002-9627-7287, Ingham, DB et al. (2 more authors) (2016) Investigation of airfoil profiles for use in self-starting, small-scale, low reynolds number vertical axis wind turbines. The International Journal of Environmental Sustainability, 12 (3). pp. 33-52. ISSN 2325-1077
Abstract
The selection of an appropriate airfoil profile is one of the most important considerations in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of a fixed-pitch straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine (SB-VAWT). The aim of this paper is to investigate the aerodynamic performance of different airfoil profiles that have the potential to improve the self-starting performance of a small-scale fixed-pitch SB-VAWT. Using experimental data sets of low Reynolds number, a preliminary assessment of different airfoil profiles were examined. Seven potential airfoils were identified and compared with the most widely used conversional symmetric airfoil based on a potential flow model theory. The results indicate that the conventional symmetrical airfoil is unsuitable for self-starting of small-scale SB-VAWT. Further, the study found that no particular asymmetrical airfoil has all the desirable characteristics for self-starting. However, two asymmetrical airfoils, namely DU-06-W-200 and S 1210, showed exceptional aerodynamic performance and were further analysed to determine their torque output for a typical wind speed of 5m/s. The results show that the DU06-W-200 possesses a high starting torque and could be an ideal airfoil to eliminate the problem of self-starting for small-scale SB-VAWT.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | Self-starting; Vertical Axis Wind Turbine; Straight-blade; Low Reynolds Number; Small-scale |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemical & Process Engineering (Leeds) > Energy Research Institute (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 12 Oct 2016 13:27 |
Last Modified: | 04 Nov 2016 04:48 |
Published Version: | http://ijse.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.272/prod.1... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Common Ground Publishing |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:105901 |