An accurate two-dimensional methodology, the COIN Lambda Fast Solver, for the computation of the flow field about a vertical axis wind turbine is presented. Such a technique determines the smooth flow field by integrating the compatibility conditions along the bicharacteristic lines. The time-averaged wind turbine effects are introduced by means of an actuator porous cylinder having the same radius of the wind turbine. A time-averaged flow field is determined. The computed vertical axis wind turbine performances are compared with other numerical results. A qualitative comparison with experimental data is also shown. Such comparisons prove the merits of the proposed methodology.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Vertical axis wind turbines, Flow (Dynamics), Wind turbines, Actuators, Computation, Cylinders
1.
Beam
 
R. M.
, and
Warming
 
R. F.
,
1978
, “
An Implicit Factored Scheme for the Compressible Navier-Stokes Equations
,”
AIAA Journal
, Vol.
16
, pp.
393
–
402
.
2.
Casalini, F., and Dadone, A., 1994, “Una Formulazione Lambda Viscosa ai Volumi Finiti,” 49th Congresso ATI, Perugia, Italy, Sept.
3.
Dadone
 
A.
,
1986
, “
A Quasi-Conservative COIN Lambda Formulation
,”
Lecture Notes in Physics
, Vol.
264
, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp.
200
–
204
.
4.
Dadone
 
A.
, and
Moretti
 
G.
,
1988
, “
Fast Euler Solver for Transonic Airfoils. Part I: Theory; Part II: Applications
,”
AIAA Journal
, Vol.
26
, pp.
409
–
424
.
5.
Dadone
 
A.
, and
Fortunato
 
B.
,
1994
, “
Three-Dimensional Flow Computations with Shock Fitting
,”
Computers and Fluids
, Vol.
23
, pp.
539
–
550
.
6.
Fanucci, J. B., and Walters, R. E., 1976, “Innovative Wind Machines: The Theoretical Performance of a Vertical axis Wind Turbine,” Proceedings, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Technology Workshop, Albuquerque, NM, Paper III.
7.
Fortunato, B., and De Martino, R., 1989, “Confronto tra Alcuni Metodi di Calcolo delle Prestazioni di Turbine Eoliche ad Asse Verticale,” Proceedings, Sviluppo Tecnologico e Ricerca nel Settore Eolico in Italia, Milano, pp. 488–497.
8.
Fortunato, B., and Magi, V., 1994, “An Implicit Lambda Method for 2-D Viscous Compressible Flows,” Proceedings, 14th International Conference on Numerical Methods in Fluid Dynamics, Bangalore, India.
9.
Holme, O., 1976, “A Contribution to the Aerodynamic Theory of the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine,” Proceedings, International Symposium on Wind Energy Systems, Cambridge, U.K., Paper C4.
10.
Karamcheti, K., 1966, Principles of Ideal-Fluid Aerodynamics, John Wiley and Sons, New York.
11.
Lapin, E. E., 1975, “Theoretical Performance of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines,” ASME Paper 75-WA/Ener-1.
12.
Loth
 
J. L.
, and
McCoy
 
H.
,
1983
, “
Optimization of Darrieus Turbines with an Upwind and Downwind Momentum Model
,”
Journal of Energy
, Vol.
7
, pp.
313
–
318
.
13.
Moretti
 
G.
,
1979
, “
The λ-scheme
,”
Computers and Fluids
, Vol.
7
, pp.
191
–
205
.
14.
Moretti, G., 1983, “A Fast Euler Solver for Steady Flows,” AIAA 6th CFD Conference, Danvers, MA, pp. 357–362.
15.
Mosetti, G., and Nobile, M., 1987, “Descrizione del Campo Fluido in un Rotore Eolico ad Asse Verticale,” Proceedings, 42th Congresso ATI, Genova, Vol. 3, pp. 139–149.
16.
Paraschivoiu, I., 1981, “Double Multiple Streamtube Model for Darrieus WTs,” NASA Conference Publication 2185, pp. 19–25.
17.
Rajagopalan, R. G., 1984, “Inviscid Upwind Finite Difference Model for Two Dimensional Vertical Axis Wind Turbines,” West Virginia University, Ph.D. Thesis.
18.
Rajagopalan
 
R. G.
,
Fanucci
 
J. B.
,
1985
, “
Finite Difference Model for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
,”
Journal of Propulsion
, Vol.
1
, pp.
432
–
436
.
19.
Shankar
 
P. N.
,
1976
, “
On The Aerodynamic Performance of a Class of Vertical Shaft Windmills
,”
Proceedings, the Royal Society of London
, Vol.
A349
, pp.
35
–
51
.
20.
Sheldahl, R. E., and Blackwell, B. F., 1976, “Aerodynamic Characteristics of Four Symmetrical Airfoil Sections Through 180 Degrees Angle of Attack at Low Reynolds Numbers (Preliminary Data Report),” Proceedings, Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Technology Workshop, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, SAND76-5586.
21.
Strickland, J. H., 1975, “The Darrieus Turbine: A Performance Prediction Model Using Multiple Streamtubes,” Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, SAND75-0431.
22.
Strickland, J. H., Webster, B. T., and Nguyen, T., 1979, “A Vortex Model of the Darrieus Turbine: An Analytical and Experimental Study,” ASME paper 79-WA/FE-6.
23.
Templin, R. J., 1974, “Aerodynamic Theory for the NRC Vertical Axis Wind Turbine,” National Research Council, Canada, LTR-LA-160.
24.
Wilson, R. E., and Lissaman, P. B. S., 1974, “Applied Aerodynamics of Wind Power Machines,” Oregon State University.
25.
Wilson, R. E., Lissaman, P. B. S., and Walker, S. N., 1976, “Aerodynamic Performance of Wind Turbines,” Oregon State University.
26.
Wilson
 
R. E.
,
1978
, “
Vortex Sheet Analysis of the Giromill
,”
ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering
, Vol.
100
, pp.
340
–
342
.
27.
Wilson, R. E., and Walker, S. N., 1981, “Fixed Wake Analysis of the Darrieus Rotor,” Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, SAND81-7026.
28.
Wilson
 
R. E.
,
Lissaman
 
P. B. S.
,
James
 
M.
, and
McKie
 
W. R.
,
1983
, “
Aerodynamic Loads on a Darrieus Rotor Blade
,”
ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering
, Vol.
105
, pp.
53
–
58
.
29.
Wilson
 
R. E.
, and
Walker
 
S. N.
,
1983
, “
Fixed Wake Theory for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
,”
ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering
, Vol.
105
, pp.
389
–
393
.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1995
 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.