Finite Element Analysis of Vertical and Inclined Flanged Diffusers for Micro Wind Turbine

Authors

  • Sandip A. Kale Trinity College of Engineering and Research, Pune
  • S. N. Sapali Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Pune, India

Keywords:

Diffuser, vertical flange, inclined flange, FEA

Abstract

Micro-wind turbines have huge potential to generate power and to add support to meet growing energy demand across the globe. Wind power produced changes with third power of wind velocity. Even a small increase in wind velocity improves power performance of wind turbine significantly. A diffuser plays a significant role to increase wind velocity at rotor diameter. Diffuser-augmented micro-wind turbines can effectively fulfill energy demand of many rural houses in developing countries in low-wind regions. Researchers are always working to reduce the size and weight of the diffuser in order to make diffuser-augmented wind turbine (DAWT) compact and practicable. With this objective, DAWT developed through various stages such as a long straight conical diffuser, aerodynamic-shaped diffuser, curved diffuser and diffuser with vertical flange. Curved diffuser with vertical flange enhances performance of the system significantly. On the other side, deformation and stresses induced in vertical flange diffuser need to be minimized. A curved inclined flanged diffuser developed by authors has shown enhancement in performance because of flange inclination in CFD analysis. It is also necessary to study stresses induced in this inclined flanged diffuser. The diffuser with vertical flange and diffuser with inclined flange are modeled and analyzed using ANSYS11. These results are presented in this paper. A significant amount of stress reduction is found in inclined flanged diffuser.

Keywords: Diffuser, Vertical flange, Inclined flange, FEA

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Published

2014-08-25

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Research Article

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