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http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/was.2019.28.3.191

Numerical optimization of a vertical axis wind turbine: case study at TMU campus  

Mirfazli, Seyed Kourosh (School of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University)
Giahi, Mohammad Hossein (School on Mechanical Engineering, Saskatchewan University)
Dehkordi, Ali Jafarian (School of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University)
Publication Information
Wind and Structures / v.28, no.3, 2019 , pp. 191-201 More about this Journal
Abstract
In this paper, the aerodynamic analysis of a vertical axis wind turbine was carried out by CFD approach to optimize the turbine performance. To perform numerical simulation, SST-Transition turbulence model was used, which demonstrated more precise results compared to non-transition models. A parametric study was conducted to optimize the VAWT performance based on the selected model. The investigation of pitch angle changes showed that the highest power produced by the turbine occurs at $2^{\circ}$ angle. Considering the effect of the rotor's arm junction to the airfoil showed that by increasing the distance of the junction from the edge of the airfoil from 25 cm to 40 cm, the power of the turbine increases by 60%. However, further increase in this distance results in power decrease. Based on the proposed numerical model, a case study was conducted to consider the installation of four VAWTs in the southwest corner of the medical science building at TMU campus with a height of 42m. The results of the simulation showed that 8.27 MWh energy is obtainable annually.
Keywords
vertical axis wind turbine; CFD simulation; turbulence models; case study;
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