Computational Simulations on the Performance of Savonius Turbines in a Solar Chimney Power Plant

Abstract

AbstractThe increase in global population has caused a higher demand for energy be it for the upsurge in industrialization or daily consumption. Nevertheless, the high levels of carbon emissions from major energy resources such as coal, petroleum and gas are alarming as repercussions through rising sea levels are posing a threat to modern civilization. Thus, renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar energy are being ventured into as these natural resources cause minimal to no harm to the environment. Previous literature suggests that minimal studies are performed on the enhancement of the turbine component of the solar chimney power plant (SCPP) for power augmentation. This work proposes the study of the performance of the Savonius-style wind turbine (SSWT) in the SCPP. The sliding mesh approach is adopted for the SSWT model, whereas the radiation model is used for the SCPP model in ANSYS Fluent. The SSWT was validated against previous numerical and experimental results, while the SCPP model is validated using the outcomes obtained from the Manzanares plant. The numerical study is carried out at a tip speed ratio (TSR) of 1.0, where the velocity and pressure fluid flow profiles are examined at four different azimuth angles for its performance capabilities. The outcome of the study suggests that SSWT performs well in the SCPP, but is hindered by negative torque at certain azimuthal angles which reduces it overall power producing capacity. It is suggested that TSRs lower than TSR 1.0 may exhibit better drag formation which may lead to an improved turbine performance. Also, flow optimization solution is encouraged for an improved overall torque output, performance and power production by the SSWT in the SCPP.KeywordsVertical axis wind turbineSolar chimney power plantSavonius-style wind turbineNumerical simulation