Computational analysis of high-lift-generating airfoils for diffuser-augmented wind turbines
Aniruddha Deepak Paranjape, Anhad Singh Bajaj, Shaheen Thimmaiah Palanganda, Radha Parikh, Raahil Nayak, Jayakrishnan Radhakrishnan
Abstract
Abstract. The impetus towards sustainable energy production and energy access has led to considerable research and development on decentralized generators, in particular diffuser-augmented wind turbines. This paper aims to characterize the performance of diffuser-augmented wind turbines (DAWTs) using high-lift airfoils employing a three-step computational analysis. The study is based on computational fluid dynamics, and the analysis is carried out by solving the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) equations in two dimensions. The rotor blades are modeled as an actuator disk, across which a pressure drop is imposed analogous to a three-dimensional rotor. We study the change in performance of the enclosed turbine with varying diffuser cross-sectional geometry. In particular, this paper characterizes the effect of a flange on the flow augmentation provided by the diffuser. We conclude that at the end of the three-step analysis, Eppler 423 showed the maximum velocity augmentation.