Abstract:

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of specific geometrical parameters on the performance of small Straight Blade –Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (SB-VAWT) of Darrieus-type. The study processes involve selecting fixed geometrical parameters and various geometrical parameters for turbine and predicting performance of the turbine based on the selected parameters. Double-multiple stream-tube model was selected to examine the performance of the prototypes of VAWT. The performances of prototypes of VAWT with a specific anticipated maximum power were investigated under the different design parameters including rotor aspect ratio, rotor solidity, and blade pitch angles. The results show that an increase in aspect ratio enhances the value of Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) at which the maximum power coefficient is achieved; In addition, an increase in rotor aspect ratio leads to greater maximum power coefficient. In addition, an increase in solidity enhances the value of TSR at which the maximum power coefficient is achieved. Furthermore, a negative blade pitch angle leads to greater maximum power coefficients compared to a zero or positive blade pitch angle. Based on the findings, the study has the recommendations of using the findings in relation to rotor aspect ratio, solidity, and blade pitch angle to guide the design of VAWT to harvest energy from wind.<

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