Experimental Study and Optimization of a 2.44 Meter Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Available to Purchase

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have long been considered a viable source for alternative energy; however, limited published research has contributed to limited technological advancement in these machines. Slower advancements are due, in part, to their complex aerodynamic models which include wake effects, vortex shedding, and cyclical blade angles of attack and Reynolds numbers. VAWTs are believed to hold several advantages over their more popular and better studied horizontal axis counterparts, including a simpler design and better efficiencies in lower wind speeds. They may have a unique niche in standalone applications at moderate wind speeds such as on an island, a remote military installation, or an inland farm. Currently, no published design standards or criteria exist for optimizing the physical properties of these turbines to maximize power output. A 2.44 m tall VAWT prototype with variable physical parameters was constructed for wind tunnel testing. The purpose of the experiment was to maximize the turbine’s power output by optimizing its physical configuration within the given parameters. These parameters included rotor radius, blade chord length, and pitch offset angle. The prototype was designed as a scaled-down model of a potential future VAWT unit that may be used to sustain a small farm or 2–4 houses. The wind tunnel consisted of a 2.74 m by 1.52 m cross section and could produce maximum wind speeds of 3.56 m/s. The turbine prototype consisted of three sets of interchangeable blades featuring two airfoils of varying chord length. Spokes of varying length allowed for rotor radii of 190.5, 317.5, and 444.5 mm. The pitch offset of the blades was varied from 0°–20° with a focus on the 10°–16° range as preliminary results suggested that this was the optimal range for this turbine. Ramp-up and steady-state rotational speeds were recorded as the blades were interchanged and the turbine radius was varied. A disk brake provided braking torque so that power coefficients could be estimated. This study successfully optimized the turbine’s power output within the given set of test parameters. The importance of finding an appropriate aspect ratio and pitch offset angle are clearly demonstrated in the results. A systematic approach to small scale wind tunnel testing prior to implementation is presented in this paper.