Computational Flow Analysis of Straight Converging-Diverging, Vertical Flanged Diffusers for a Small Wind Turbine
Haribhau G. Phakatkar1, Rushikesh V. Godse2, Sandip A. Kale3, Mahasidha R. Birajdar4
1Haribhau G. Phakatkar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Trinity College of Engineering and Research, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Maharashtra), India.
2Rushikesh V. Godse, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Trinity College of Engineering and Research, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Maharashtra), India.
3Sandip A. Kale, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Trinity College of Engineering and Research, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Maharashtra), India.
4Mahasidha R. Birajdar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Trinity College of Engineering and Research, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune (Maharashtra), India.
Manuscript received on 07 June 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 30 June 2019 | Manuscript Published on 04 July 2019 | PP: 1035-1042 | Volume-8 Issue-1S4 June 2019 | Retrieval Number: A11920681S419/2019©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Small wind turbines used for community are not till appreciated by the people till date because of non satisfactory performance as they operate in low wind regions. The wind turbines covered with diffuser can improve the power output of the wind turbine. This paper focuses on the straight converging, diverging vertical flanged diffusers for small wind turbine and its computational analysis for selected variables. These computational experiments are carried out for wind turbine of 3000 mm diameter. During the analysis, diffuser diameter at the throat, flange inclination, throat distance from the exit and the distance of the rotor from the throat are kept constant. The four variables such as inlet diameter, exit diameter, flange height and entry to throat distance are considered at three levels. For these four variable and three levels nine cases are formed by Taguchi methods and CFD analysis of these nine cases is carried out to obtain the best combination. During the computational analysis wind speed is considered as 6.5 m/s in all cases. Based on the wind velocity obtained in the diffuser predicted power output is calculated and it is observed that 1.72 to 2.15 times increase in power output is possible for the considered cases.
Keywords: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbine, Small Wind Turbine, Wind Speed.
Scope of the Article: Fluid Mechanics