Simulation of Inlet Shroud and Diffuser Flange on Shrouded Wind Turbine Performance

Abstract

The objective of this research is to enhance the diffuser parameters of shrouded Wind Turbine (Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbine DAWT).The study investigates different parameters of diffuser shape like inlet shroud curvature, diffuser flange height.The focus on these parameters are to develop the optimum condition of diffuser parameters for the aspect of power and thrust force coefficients.For that purpose, diffuser case-2 have been one of the recommended configuration as an effective design in increasing wind speed in the literature.In addition to the diffuser cases, a simulated model of wind turbine designed using blade element momentum (BEM) technique and has been validated with a Wind Turbine (AMPAIR-300).Diffuser case-2 has been simulated and analyzed using design software Solid-works and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Software Fluent-ANSYS-15.As per the study, diffuser case-2, adding inlet shroud directs the wind flow into the inlet of diffuser and the diffuser flange effect on the power enhancement was significant and also its induced axial load was significant, and it is recommended to modify the diffuser shroud shape to decreases the axial thrust effect with enhancing the power coefficient.