Wind Energy
Sh.Sh. Dol; A. Khamis; M. T. Abdallftah; M. Fares; S. Sh. Pervaiz
Abstract
The current research illustrates the optimization of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) blades with implementation of added winglets displaying improved self-starting capabilities. The application of improved design is to be utilized in a university campus located in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order ...
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The current research illustrates the optimization of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) blades with implementation of added winglets displaying improved self-starting capabilities. The application of improved design is to be utilized in a university campus located in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to reduce its margin of consumed electrical energy by 15%. The study is conducted over a mean wind speed value of 5 m/s achieved in a one-year period at a specific altitude of 50 m in the UAE. Two aerodynamic simulation software were adopted, namely ANSYS FLUENT CFD and QBlade, with designs being modelled using AutoCAD. The analytical analysis included some aerodynamic characteristic such as power, lift, and drag coefficients. Through 2D-computational fluid dynamics (CFD), simulation study tested 20 different symmetrical as well as asymmetrical airfoils including the cambered S-0146 with 26.83% higher power output and lower noise amongst the test subjects. Turbine torque for added winglet design results in 4.1% higher compared to the benchmark. The modified design aims to produce at least 2% more power and have an improvement in self-starting of at least 20%. VAWTs tend to have higher potential and sensitivity towards wind direction (no yawing mechanism required) illustrating them as more cost-effective. Future scope includes utilizing wind lens technology to increase the free-stream velocity.
Sh. Sham Dol; S. Shahid Pervaiz; M. Uzair; Sh. Khalid Bashir; M. Mustafa Elzughbi
Abstract
The research aims at designing a solar endurance glider for an increased flight time. The constraints for design include reduction in weight compared to a typical glider and improving its aerodynamic performance by application of vortex generators on its wingspan. The design of each component was performed ...
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The research aims at designing a solar endurance glider for an increased flight time. The constraints for design include reduction in weight compared to a typical glider and improving its aerodynamic performance by application of vortex generators on its wingspan. The design of each component was performed through various stages of similitude cases; furthermore, the components, such as solar panels and vortex generators were selected based on a decision matrix design process. This research utilized ANSYS 18.1 K-Omega SST turbulence simulation techniques to successfully simulate the glider at different speeds along with various angle of attacks for aerodynamics optimization. The results show an improvement in lift force from 160 N to 192 N once the vortex generators were installed. 16 solar cells are installed on the glider’s wings providing 57.6 Watts of power. This study faced a limitation on the physical testing using a wind tunnel for validation; therefore, the team relied on CFD simulations verification from published data. This report details the concept of boundary layer, design process, glider simulation as well as glider configuration, such as the wingspan and total length. The glider should be able to maintain a flight time of at least 6 hours with vortex generators and solar panels.