Experimental Investigations of Small horizontal axis wind turbine rotors
Abstract
In this research work, the investigation and optimization of small horizontal axis wind turbine blade at low wind speed is pursued. In this paper, an optimized design method based on BEM Theory is explained blade radius of 0.2 m rotors investigated with and without winglet blade geometry of 10 Low Reynolds number airfoils. An Xfoil and CFD software were used to devise a novel airfoil (MAF) suitable for use at low Reynolds number. A Matlab program was developed to use BEM theory and optimize blade geometry. The experimental blades were developed using the 3D printing additive manufacturing technique. The airfoils E210, NACA2412, S1223, SG6043, E216, NACA4415, SD7080, SD7033, S1210 and MAF were tested at the wind speed of 2-6 m/s. The airfoils and optimum blade geometry were investigated with the aid of the Xfoil software at Reynolds number of 100,000. The initial investigation range included tip speed ratios from 3 to 10, solidity from 0.0431 – 0.1181, and angle of attacks from 2o to 20o. Later on these parameters were varied in MATLAB and Xfoil software for optimization and investigation of the power coefficient, lift coefficient, drag coefficient and lift to drag ratio. The cut-in wind speed of the rotors was 2 m/s with the winglet-equipped blades and without winglets. It was found that the E210, SG6043, E216 NACA4415 and MAF airfoil displayed better performance than the NACA 2412, S1223, SD7080, S1210 & SD7003 for the geometry optimized for the operating conditions and manufacturing method described.
