Evaluation of Basalt Fibers on Wind Turbine Blades through Finite Element Analysis

V García,R Ballesteros,L Vargas,E Durazo,A Acuña,J Ocampo,J B Sosa

doi:10.1155/2019/1536925

Abstract

Here we use finite element analysis to determine the suitability of basalt fiber as a substitute for E-glass in structural applications, which would improve the cost effectiveness of small wind turbine blades. Five NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) profiles were evaluated to select the optimum shape for the wind operation conditions. To obtain the wind load pressure distribution over the blade, a computational aerodynamic analysis by CFD (computational fluid dynamics) was performed based on the blade’s design and operating conditions. Material properties and mechanical tests were carried out to obtain the fiber volume fraction, density, Young’s modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson relation of polymeric matrix composites made using basalt and fiberglass. The obtained wind loads and material properties were used on a FEM (finite element model) analysis to evaluate the structural behavior of the blade under normal and critical operating conditions. Both fibers meet the structural requirements under normal operating conditions. We detected a reduction of 4% in the blade stress when basalt fibers are used instead of glass fibers, and a reduction of 68% in the total deformation for a critical load case of 40 m/s was obtained when using basalt fibers, which met the structural requirements and maximum power generation required for this wind turbine design.

Highlights

Wind power is the second strongest growing renewable energy, with an annual growth rate of 34% [1]
Since basalt fibers represent an area of opportunity, here we describe a comparative simulation by finite element analysis to determinate if basalt fiber can substitute E-glass composites in wind turbine blades, which represent a potential weight reduction and an easy handle material for manufacturing and reparations
Once the mechanical properties were obtained, the ideal power output (IPO) was calculated for the horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) blades according to the Betz equation, using specific airfoils families and keeping in mind that the aerodynamic profile has a crucial influence on the efficiency of wind turbines

Summary

Introduction

Wind power is the second strongest growing renewable energy, with an annual growth rate of 34% [1]. Multiple teams have fabricated and characterized wind turbine blades made of glass fiber/vinyl ester composite materials, reporting that dynamic testing of the storage modulus decreases with increase in temperature [15] For this reason, the manufacturing industry aims to optimize the wind turbines, thereby reducing cost and extending its service life cycle. Since basalt fibers represent an area of opportunity, here we describe a comparative simulation by finite element analysis to determinate if basalt fiber can substitute E-glass composites in wind turbine blades, which represent a potential weight reduction and an easy handle material for manufacturing and reparations. Once the mechanical properties were obtained, the ideal power output (IPO) was calculated for the HAWT blades according to the Betz equation, using specific airfoils families and keeping in mind that the aerodynamic profile has a crucial influence on the efficiency of wind turbines. Using the Betz formulation, Cp has an optimum at 16/27, at an axial interference factor of 1/3. e power production can be determined as PBetz

CPBetz2

Results and Discussions

Results

Conclusions