Numerical and experimental analysis of a small horizontal axis wind turbine rotors

Abstract

Fourteen airfoils were selected in this research paper to build and optimize a small horizontal axis wind turbine for a low wind speed. By using Q-blade software and CFD simulations for a 0.5 m rotor radius and the tip speed ratio ranged from 3 to 10. In this paper selected airfoil such as E205, E214, E216, NACA2412, NACA4418, SG6040, SG6041, SG6042, SG6043, S1221, S2091, S7012, SD7034 were investigated. As the most suitable geometries, Airfoil E216 and SG6043 cast out by checking numerical simulations to gain more power at low Reynolds number. In this study comparing the drag coefficient, lift coefficient and lift to drag ratio with respect to angle of attack, the airfoil has been revised. A parametric optimization of the blade geometry and develop the new airfoil for small wind turbine rotor. The E216 airfoil is found to be better performance with below solidity of8.25%, while the NACA 2412 produces stronger solidityof 21.6% due to wake effects produced behind the rotor. A wind tunnel test, Q-Blade simulation and CFD analysis were performed on the design and optimized for the proposed small horizontal wind turbine rotor axis in order to apply low wind speed area.