Aerodynamic performances of a moving H-Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbine

Abstract

This study aims to investigate numerically a 10 kW straight-bladed Darrieus type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) by using fluent 6.3.26 . A symmetry NACA0018 aerofoil shape is used for the wind turbine blades. The simulations are carried out by solving the 2D Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in addition to the realizable k-ϵ turbulence model. The enhanced wall treatment algorithm is adopted near solid boundaries with a maximum y+ of 3. The effect of solidity (in terms of chord length) on the blade’s aerodynamic performances (lift, drag and moment coefficients) of the turbine is evaluated. Computed results show that during one revolution, the blade with a small chord length presents low moment coefficient in a range of [60°-120°] while it is higher in the range of [200°-325°] in comparison to other cases