Numerical modelling of performance on batch blade Savonius turbine using ANSYS

Abstract

Energy is the backbone of the world economy and a means for progress in most of the countries Industrialization. The relationship between energy and an economy of a country are directly related. Wind energy is one of the cleanest source of energy. The energy from wind is extracted via wind turbines. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is more accessible and portable. The Savonius rotor runs based on the difference of pressure between the buckets and thus it's a drag-based turbine. The design and simple and cheap to be utilized in varying wind speeds. The main objective of this research is to investigate the aerodynamic performance of the batch blade of Savonius wind turbine and improving its performance via parametric investigation. To accomplish this, Computational Fluid Dynamic is utilized with the aid of ANSYS 16 to model the flow around the blade. The variables are the number of blades and shape of the blade considering the geometric parameter involved in the performance of the blade. A 3D model was modelled using CAD software which is SolidWorks 2014. With variable of shape of blade and number of blades, 12 models was prepared and the moving mesh together with the fluid flow was developed using ANSYS Fluent. Five different wind speeds was simulated to determine the efficiency of the model. With the finding of velocity of wind hitting the blades, the rpm of blades was found and thus the efficiency of Savonius rotor blade. Results show that 4 bladed Savonius rotor has the average lowest efficiency. Whereas twisted models shows great potential in harnessing higher.