A Fundamental Study Of Mini-Turbine Blades For Urban Applications

Chan, Stacey

A Fundamental Study Of Mini-Turbine Blades For Urban Applications

Abstract

Urban environments contain high densities of wind energy that are inaccessible to large wind turbines of the classical "windmill" design. By exploring small-scale vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs), wind energy can possibly be harvested from the constrained spaces within cities. A thorough and detailed investigation of offset pitch angle, relative blade size, camber, thickness, and sweepback angle for straight blades was done in a wind tunnel. Mini-turbines with chordlength to diameter ratios (c/D) equivalent to commercial VAWTs do not operate at the small scales of mini-turbines. On the other hand, mini-turbines with large c/D produce the most power. The standard NACA 0015 straight blade with zero offset pitch angle produces the highest coefficient of power, CP. Adding sweepback reduces CP but improves self-starting capability. Other unconventional designs and numerical models are investigated. Although the design and behavior of large-scale VAWTs has been documented in previous literature, mini-turbines show significantly different properties which indicate promise for practical application in the urban environment.

Date Issued

2014-01-27

Keywords

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine; Energy; Urban Environment

Committee Chair

Williamson, Charles Harvey Kaye

Committee Member

Cowen III, Edwin Alfred

Degree Discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Name

M.S., Mechanical Engineering

Degree Level

Master of Science

Types

dissertation or thesis