Design and Development a Wind Tunnel using the Honeycomb as a Wind Turbine Characterization Instrument

Abstract

In this research, an open circuit wind tunnel system was developed with variations in the use of the honeycomb and not in the settling chamber. This system will be used as an instrument for testing the characteristics of wind turbines. Settling chamber, cylindrical with a diameter of 56 4 mm with a length of 150 mm. Contraction cone, a truncated cone with a large diameter of 564 mm and a small diameter of 460 mm and a height of 300 mm. The test section is cylindrical in shape with a diameter of 460 mm and a length of 500 mm. Diffuser, in the form of a truncated cone with a large diameter of 560 mm and a small diameter of 460 mm and a height of 400 mm. The use of honeycomb is aimed at reducing the value of the intensity of turbulence. The honeycomb consists of a PVC cylinder with a diameter of 8.5 mm and a length of 100 mm, placed in the settling chamber. The intensity of turbulence is defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean value of the wind speed. The wind speed in the test section was measured using an anemometer at nine different measuring points around the center of a cross section of the test section. The nine-point wind speed was used to calculate the intensity of the turbulence. The turbulence intensity of the wind tunnel without honeycomb and with honeycomb in the settling chamber is approximately 0.864 and 0.178, respectively.