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On the performance of a micro-scale Bach-type turbine as predicted by discrete-vortex simulations

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  • Wang, Lu
  • Yeung, Ronald W.

Abstract

The flow past a Bach-type vertical-axis wind or current turbine is simulated using a viscous Discrete-Vortex Method at a Reynolds number of 1500. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the suitability of Bach-type turbines for use as micro-scale energy harvesters that can be applied to power, for example, sensor nodes of a wireless sensor network. The maximum power coefficient of the turbine operating at a prescribed constant tip-speed ratio is found to be 0.18, which is comparable to the performance of the same turbine at much higher Reynolds numbers, thus indicating only minimal performance penalty for miniaturization. The speed of the turbine has a strong influence on the evolution of vortical flow structures. A new wake-capturing mechanism that boosts the performance of the turbine is discovered from the simulations for a certain range of tip-speed ratios where the vortex shed by the advancing blade helps drive the returning blade. In addition to prescribed rotation, free rotation of a steel Bach-type turbine in water is also investigated. Significant fluctuation in angular velocity over one period of rotation is observed. This speed fluctuation is found to be detrimental to energy extraction, reducing the maximum power coefficient to approximately 0.16. The estimated power generating capacity of a micro-scale turbine indicates that it can significantly extend the life expectancy of a wireless sensor node or even maintain the node in a low-power state indefinitely.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Lu & Yeung, Ronald W., 2016. "On the performance of a micro-scale Bach-type turbine as predicted by discrete-vortex simulations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 823-836.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:183:y:2016:i:c:p:823-836
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.185
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    Cited by:

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    2. Marinić-Kragić, Ivo & Vučina, Damir & Milas, Zoran, 2019. "Concept of flexible vertical-axis wind turbine with numerical simulation and shape optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 841-852.
    3. Kang, Can & Zhao, Hexiang & Zhang, Yongchao & Ding, Kejin, 2021. "Effects of upstream deflector on flow characteristics and startup performance of a drag-type hydrokinetic rotor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 290-303.
    4. Marinić-Kragić, Ivo & Vučina, Damir & Milas, Zoran, 2022. "Robust optimization of Savonius-type wind turbine deflector blades considering wind direction sensitivity and production material decrease," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 150-163.
    5. Zhang, Yongchao & Kang, Can & Ji, Yanguang & Li, Qing, 2019. "Experimental and numerical investigation of flow patterns and performance of a modified Savonius hydrokinetic rotor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1067-1079.
    6. Khairil Anwar & Syukri Himran & Luther Sule & Nasruddin Azis, 2018. "Numerical Investigation Of Modified Savonius Wind Turbine with Various Straight Blade Angle," Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research & Developments (JMERD), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 41(3), pages 38-42, September.
    7. Rezaeiha, Abdolrahim & Kalkman, Ivo & Blocken, Bert, 2017. "Effect of pitch angle on power performance and aerodynamics of a vertical axis wind turbine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 132-150.
    8. Zhu, Hongjun & Zhao, Ying & Zhou, Tongming, 2018. "CFD analysis of energy harvesting from flow induced vibration of a circular cylinder with an attached free-to-rotate pentagram impeller," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 304-321.
    9. Grönman, Aki & Tiainen, Jonna & Jaatinen-Värri, Ahti, 2019. "Experimental and analytical analysis of vaned savonius turbine performance under different operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 864-872.
    10. repec:zib:zjmerd:3jmerd2018-38-42 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Su, Jie & Chen, Yaoran & Han, Zhaolong & Zhou, Dai & Bao, Yan & Zhao, Yongsheng, 2020. "Investigation of V-shaped blade for the performance improvement of vertical axis wind turbines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).

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