CFD study of diffuser geometry effects on diffuser augmented wind turbine performance

This thesis aims to explore the performance limits of diffuser augmented wind turbines. Many studies of this topic have been performed in the past. Limiting assumptions and manufacturing concerns have forced the majority of previous studies to stray away from finding optimal performance in favor of economical construction. A momentum theory exists that shows the Betz limit can be exceeded by diffuser augmented wind turbines. In a multistage optimization study, geometry factors are considered and compared based on resulting power coefficients. In the final phase of the study a diffuser is chosen and compared to previously designed and tested diffusers. The new diffuser is the first to consider performance based not on rotor area, but on diffuser exit area. This diffuser exceeds the Betz limit based on diffuser exit area without considering the beneficial effects of blade tip vortices that have been found in multiple real-world tests.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• Nortrup, Eric S.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hsia, K. Jimmy

• Diffuser augmented wind turbine (DAWT)

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Eric Sam Nortrup

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16977

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/16977