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International Journal of
Volume 2, Number 5, 2015, pp. 199-210 Mechanical Engineering
Received: March 29, 2015; Published: May 25, 2015 and Automation
Abstract: This study presents a 2D computational investigation on the unsteady phenomenon associated with single and multiple
blades at urban circumstance. The VAWT (vertical axis wind turbine) has advantages over HAWT (horizontal axis wind turbine) that
it allows less chance to be degraded independent of wind direction and turbine can be operated even at the low wind speed. However,
VAWT in urban area generally has weak and turbulent wind conditions due to the presence of high-rise building. Therefore, VAWT
operation under both stalled and unstalled conditions with various effective angles of attack are also in the presence of dynamic stall
which are particularly significant impact on load and power the operation at low tip-speed ratio. The objective of this study is to
analyze aerodynamics of the VAWT blade and investigate the ideal shape of blade. The analysis of aerodynamic characteristics with
various blades has been performed using numerical simulation with CFD software. As the numerical simulation discloses local
physical features around wind turbine, aerodynamic performance such as lift, drag and torque are computed for single blade rotation
and multiple blade rotation cases. Through this study, an accurate aerodynamic physic is defined, furthermore, effective blade shape
is suggested based vortex-blade interaction studies.
Keywords: Vertical axis wind turbine, Darrieus, vortex interaction, camber, TSR (tip speed ratio).
1. Introduction
Darrieus type rotated by its lift force, and Savornius
The most economical resource of renewable energy, type by its drag force. The advantages of VAWTs are
i.e., wind energy, has been highlighted not only as a that it has no degradation regardless of wind direction
driving force of the next-generation industry but for and low cut-in speed which are key factors in the
the strategic importance in terms of environmental usage of a small-sized generator. Darrieus type wind
countermeasure and energy security reinforcement. turbine has basically two configurations which are
Major reasons for wind energy growth lie in price Tropskien type with a curved wing and straight type
competitiveness to other clean energy resources and with a vertical wing. Curved wing type blade allows
its effect on the environment benefits. However, urban less blade tension that is beneficial in the system
area has lower average wind resources compared to design. In contrast, straight type blade causes a large
ocean and high mountain. Moreover, designing centrifugal load bending moment.
VAWT (vertical axis wind turbine) has technical Aerodynamic analysis of vertical axis wind turbine
difficulties in the areas of high noise, vibration and system is very basic and the most important research
low power efficiency. Therefore, significant technical area. Because aerodynamic of the Darrieus wind
improvement is needed in terms of aerodynamic turbine is rather complex. The reason of complex is
efficiency and structural stability. VAWT is operating under both stalled and unstalled
VAWT has been operated mostly by two mechanisms: conditions with various effective angles of attack.
200 Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance
Simao Ferreira [1] investigated physics and equations are used for simulation as expressed in the
appropriate turbulence modeling of rotating blade in followings:
VAWT through the PIV (particle image velocimetry) U x + vy = 0 (1)
experimental system and numerical method. 1
U t + Px = -(u 2 ) x - (uv) y + (uxx + u yy ) (2)
Re
Moreover, Ferreira investigated accurately 1
Vt + Py = -(uv) x - (v 2 ) y + (vxx + v yy ) (3)
modeling the separated shed wake resulting from Re
dynamic stall through appling DES turbulence model. where u, v represents the velocity component each
Wang [2] and Tedidiah [3] studied dynamic stall in direction and p denotes the pressure.
low Reynolds number flow; Fujisawa [4] studied flow DNS (direct numerical simulation), DES (detached
field around a Darrieus wind turbine blade in dynamic eddy simulation), and LES (large eddy simulation) has
stall by flow visualization and PIV measurement in been developed those are able to capture the smallest
stationary and rotating frames of reference. Through eddy movement in viscos sub-layer However, the
PIV experimental measurement, Fujisawa described purpose of this study is determine that how each of
the successive shedding of two pairs of stall vortices design parameter effect to entire system of VAWT
from the blade moving upstream in various tip-speed through a significant amount of the simulation.
ratios. Yamada [5] evaluated performance of various Therefore, considering Computing time, SST (shear
design parameters such as blade camber and thickness. stress transport) turbulence model is adopted. An
Similar with above study, Deshpande [6] analysis immediate benefit of the SST turbulence model is that
aerodynamic characteristic using symmetric blade and it more accurately predicts the spreading rate of both
unsymmetric blade with various solidity. However, in planar and round jets [13]. It is also likely to provide
the previous research, only the final output is superior performance for flows involving rotation,
explained due to change of geometry [7-11]. These boundary layers under strong adverse pressure
studies does not offer enough data for understanding gradients, separation, and recirculation.
aerodynamic characteristic of VAWT and The TSR (tip speed ratio) is the ratio between the
optimization process. Instead, a more rigorous rotational speed of a blade at the tip and the velocity
fluid-dynamics analysis should be employed for of the wind, defined in Eq. (4) as
understanding aerodynamic of VAWT [12]. The paper R
= (4)
U
is organized as follows : Numberical method and
in which R is the radius of the rotation, is the
blade configuration is explained in Section 2; The
angular velocity of the turbine and U is the free
analysis of location and magnitude of the vortex
stream velocity.
induced by rotating single blade and the vortex
interaction with rotating multiple blade is also 2.2 Analysis for the Camber Effect
investigated in Section 3; The results provide an idea
Darrieus VAWT is operated mainly by lift force
of the optimized shape of the blade camber based on
rather than drag force. Lift over drag ratio is strongly
the torque occurred on the VAWT in Section 4.
affected by its blade camber [14, 15]. In this study,
2. Numerical Method and Approach five models (NACA0015, NACA2415, NACA4415,
NACA6415, and NACA8415) are chosen to be
2.1 Numerical Method
numerically analyzed.
Two-dimensional incompressible CFD simulations Particularly, the relation between the camber and
are conducted to comprehend qualitatively the camber the power needs to be quantitatively analyzed. Fig. 1
effect in vertical wind turbine systems. Navier-Stokes explained geometry of blade.
Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance 201
Fig. 2 shows the schematic of wind turbine system. angle of attack at each location. Thereby, TSR is very
Free stream flows from left to right and the system is important in determining the angle of attack and
rotating clockwise. As the blade rotate causes resulting power generation performance.
increment of angle of attack, the smallest lift force is Fig. 3 shows the computational domain and
computed at the lowest angle of attack, 0 and the boundary condition [16]. The blade zone is rotated by
biggest lift force is computed at 45. After the critical moving mesh function. Hole of geometry divided into
angle of attack, the lift force will be gradually reduced two parts, such as sub grid1 which is dynamic mesh
until 135. However, lift force is main source of zone and sub-grid 2 what is fixed mesh zone. The
turbine rotation, and lift is strongly dependent on the height of the first row of cells in sub-grid 1 is set as a
distance to the wall of 10-3 of chord length and this
corresponds Y+ <2 for the purpose of accurately
NACA0015 resolving the viscos layer. 1mm grids are generated at
zone interface and 700,000 grid points are generate
with 1.05 grow rates.
NACA2415
There are 450,000 grid points in the computational
domain which are unstructured grids. Making the
uniform free stream velocity boundary condition at the
inlet accurate enough and allowing a full development
NACA4415
of the wake. Opening condition is set at outlet
boundary condition for as much as possible to match
the natural states [17]. Fig. 4 explained grid generation
NACA6415 in moving zone and boundary of blade, respectively.
The upper surface of the blade is set facing the hub
of the wind turbine system. The computation is
NACA8415 executed under the assumption of total 3 blade and 5
blade.
Fig. 5 Vortex intensity of three single blades: (a) NACA0015, (b) NACA4415, (c) NACA8415.
Fig. 6 and Table 1 explain the performance Table 1 Aerodynamic performance by single blade.
evaluation of single blade system. As the camber of Mean torque Max torque Min torque Standard
blade increases, max torque also increases. The reason (Nm) (Nm) (Nm) deviation
of above physics is explained in Fig. 5. An area of NACA0015 1.091 17.919 -11.876 6.787
pressure coefficient (Cp) curve indicates lift force at NACA2415 1.019 18.719 -11.076 7.024
blade location at 90 azimuth angle. As increasing the NACA4415 0.361 22.272 -15.385 8.868
camber, the area of Cp curve is increased as well at NACA6415 0.094 24.764 -15.050 9.731
However, after 180 azimuth angle, torque is turbulence region leads to wake superpose around
sharply decreased and fluctuated with low frequency. blade and generate vortex interaction. However, blade
On the other hands, blade vortex interaction of the in overwhelmed turbulence area can not generate
wakes with the downstream passage of the blade has torque. Therefore, mean torque is largely lower than
different phenomenon in multiple blades system. W/O vortex interaction case in 5 blade system. Figs. 8
First of all, the location of vortex interaction is and 9 show mean torque compare W/vortex
different. Leading edge vortex and previous blades interaction with W/O vortex interaction.
trailing edge vortex is interacted at upper side of blade.
3.2 Power Changes According to the Number of Blade
Naturally, low pressure region has developed at upper
side of blade. This low pressure core is located on The power variation along the camber change in
straight line of effective angle of attack direction. case of single-blade is shown in Fig. 6. Numerical
Which means this low pressure core can help to analysis proves that the maximum peak value of the
generate torque in 3 blade system. However, vortex torque arise from the symmetric blade (NACA0015) is
interaction that is coupled by 3 blade is located on about 18 Nm which is less than those of the
bottom of blade in 5 blade system. asymmetric blade (NACA4415, NACA8415), i.e., 22
Fig. 7 indicates that the vortex from following N-m and 27 N-m. This is the evidence of that higher
blades overlaps with the vortex from preceding blades. L/D leads to better power efficiency at Darrieus
As a results, this vortex interaction lead to positive VAWT.
effect on 3 blade system. Therefore, torque is 3 blade and 5 blade power is explained in Figs. 10
recovered at 100 azimuth angle where is minimum and 11 respectively. Also detail information of each
torque generated in W/O vortex interaction. On the power is written in Tables 2 and 3.
other hands, Vortex interaction is negative effect in 5 Fig. 12 shows the pressure distribution at 45,
blade case. Huge turbulence area is take position corresponding to the highest power output. At 45,
upper side of moving zone. Therefore, mean torque is most favorable angle of attack is set and bigger lift
largely lower than W/O vortex interaction case. force is made.
Secondly, the area of turbulence region is different. The Darrieus wind turbine system is operated by lift
More large turbulence region takes position in upper force. Therefore, the torque peak point can be
side of rotating area in 5 blade system than 3 blade observed at the angle. The contour indicates that
system. As an above explanation, appropriate higher camber causes greater pressure on lower surface
Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance 205
Fig. 8 Torque variation of 3 blade vortex interaction and W/O vortex interaction.
Fig. 9 Torque variation of 5 blade vortex interaction and W/O vortex interaction.
which could predict greater power output. In the Because of the strong vortex, the lift force is affected
meantime, Fig. 13 shows the pressure distribution at from the vortex interaction and vortex interaction
135, the lowest power output. There is little causes lower system efficiency.
dependence on the magnitude of the camber. Leading As shown in single blade system, the torque has
edge vortex that is shedded after angle of attack, 90 sharply decreased from 60 to 135. It is mainly due to
and trailing edge vortex are superposed at 135. the leading edge vortex formation. In other words, the
206 Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance
Table 2 Aerodynamic performance by 3 blade. Bigger torque can be obtained in the symmetric
List NACA0015 NACA4415 NACA8415 blade case (NACA 0015) rather than asymmetric
Mean torque 6.78 Nm 4.84 Nm 3.99 Nm blade case (NACA 4415, NACA8415) in both 3 blade
Standard deviation 14.34 26.75 28.14 and 5 blade. Less camber produces positive torque,
which means overall more power and therefore the
Table 3 Aerodynamic performance by 5 blade.
wind turbine system should rotates more faster (high
List NACA0015 NACA4415 NACA8415
rpm setting is needed). However, more stable periodic
Mean torque 3.4 Nm 0.98 Nm -1.38 Nm
pattern in torque is allowed in bigger camber, which is
Standard deviation 2.52 3.74 5.37
favorable to stable operation and less fatigue of the
vortex formation had negative effect on the power turbine system. The deviation from perfect periodic
efficiency. The torque of VAWT with multiple blade pattern can be understood as the vortex interacts with
system with various camber length is shown in Figs. 8 the blade in a different fashion at different phase. In
and 9. Unlike the single blade rotation, the torque short, the vortex interaction behaves as nonlinear
curve show more periodic pattern. It is because 3 and pattern in torque computation.
5 blade are adopted and thereby the frequency is 5 While 45 is the rotation angle for peak torque value
times higher than in single blade case. in single blade rotation, in multiple blades system, 45
Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance 207
Fig. 12 Pressure distribution at 45 of single blade system: (a) NACA0015, (b) NACA4415, (c) NACA8415.
Fig. 13 Pressure distribution at 135 of single blade system: (a) NACA0015, (b) NACA4415, (c) NACA8415.
is not any more peak point of torque. In addition, interaction between vortex and following blades. This
contrast to the single blade case finding that bigger vortex interaction is shown in Fig. 14. The extent and
camber yields bigger torque, the multiple blades strength of the vortex are strong enough to degrade the
system show opposite pattern. All these phenomena power, which allows significant deviation from the
related to camber, can be explained as nonlinear single blade case.
208 Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance
Fig. 15 shows the pressure distribution and vortex Therefore, bigger torque is generated by cambered
intensity at 45, lowest power output by multi blades blade. But, the power is degenerated on account of the
system. Bigger pressure effects on the turbine system vortex intensity. Fig. 16 shows the vortex intensity at
and bigger lift force occurs at the bottom of cambered 45. The vortex is stronger according to the height of
blade than symmetric. camber.
Fig. 14 Vortex intensity at 120 of 3 blade system: (a) NACA0015, (b) NACA4415, (c) NACA8415.
Fig. 15 Pressure distrubution at 45 of 5 blade system: (a) NACA0015, (b) NACA4415, (c) NACA8415.
Aerodynamic Study of Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine System in Urban Circumstance 209
Fig. 16 Vortex intensity at 45 of 5 blade system: (a) NACA0015, (b) NACA4415, (c) NACA8415.