Blade Curve Influences on Performance of Savonius Rotors: Experimental and Numerical

In this study, the effect of blade curve on the power coefficient of a Savonius rotor is investigated by means of numerical simulation and wind tunnel tests. The tests were conducted on six rotors with identical dimensions but different blade curves, and the influences of blade curve and Reynolds number were studied. Followed by a simulation of the flow field around rotors with identical semi-circular curves and different overlaps, torque was calculated using pressure distribution on the blade surface, and the effect of Reynolds number and blade curve were studied on torque as well. Results indicate that changing the blade curve affects the power coefficient and torque by causing different drag coefficients. Also the rotor that yields the highest power coefficient and torque in one revolution compared with other rotors is highlighted.