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Incidence Angle Effect on the Turbulent Flow around a Savonius Wind Rotor

Sobhi Frikha, Zied Driss*, Hedi Kchaou, Mohamed Salah Abid

Laboratory of Electro-Mechanic Systems (LASEM), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, B.P. 1173, km 3.5 Soukra, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the effect of the incidence angle on the aerodynamic characteristics of the flow around a Savonius wind rotor. Six configurations with different incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150° were studied. For this, we have developed a numerical simulation using the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) code "Fluent". The considered numerical model is based on the resolution of the Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with the k-ε turbulence model. These equations are solved by a finite volume discretization method. Particularly, we are interested in visualizing the velocity field, the mean velocity, the static pressure, the dynamic pressure, the turbulent kinetic energy, the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy and the turbulent viscosity. Results confirm that the variation of the incidence angle has an effect on the local characteristics. Our numerical results were compared with those obtained by anterior results. The comparison shows a good agreement and confirms the numerical method.

Keywords: savonius rotor, turbulent flow, incidence angle, CFD

Citation: Sobhi Frikha, Zied Driss, Hedi Kchaou, Mohamed Salah Abid, Incidence Angle Effect on the Turbulent Flow around a Savonius Wind Rotor. American Journal of Energy Research, 4 (2). 42-53. January 2016. doi:10.12691/ajer-4-2-3

1. Introduction

In recent years, an interest in wind energy has been growing and wind turbines are developed to generate electricity from the kinetic power of the wind. Wind turbines can rotate about either a horizontal or a vertical axis. Savonius wind rotors are a type of vertical-axis wind turbine. The Savonius wind rotor has the advantage of being compact, economical and aesthetic. In addition, they have good starting characteristics, operate at relatively low operating speeds and have the ability to accept the wind from any direction. For several years, many studies have significantly improved the performance of Savonius rotors. For example Kamoji et al. [1] investigated the performance of modified forms of conventional rotors with and without central shaft between the end plates. Menet and Bourabaa [2] tested different configuration of the Savonius rotor and found that the best value of the static torque coefficient is obtained for an incidence angle equal to θ=45° and a relative overlap equal to e/d=0.24. They compared their numerical results with those obtained by Blachwell et al. [3] and a good agreement was obtained. Aldos [4] studied the power augmentation of the Savonius rotor by allowing the rotor blades to swing back when on the upwind side. He reported a power augmentation of the order of 11.25% with the increase in Cp from 0.015 to 0.17. Ushiyama and Nagai [5] tested several parameters of the Savonius rotor including gap ratio, aspect ratio, the number of cylindrical buckets, the number of stages, endplate effects, overlap ratio, and bucket design. The highest efficiency of all configurations tested was 24% for a two-stage, two-bucket rotor. Grinspan et al. [6] developed a new blade shape with a twist for the Savonius rotor. They obtained a maximum power coefficient of 0.5 with this model. Saha and Rajkumar [7] compared the performance of a bladed metallic Savonius rotor to a conventional semi-circular blade having no twist. The twist produced good starting torque and larger rotational speeds and gives an efficiency of 0.14. The best torque was obtained with blades twisted by an angle α=12.5°. Akwa et al. [8] studied the influence of the buckets overlap ratio of a Savonius wind rotor on the averaged torque and power coefficients by changing the geometry of the rotor. They noticed that the maximum device performance occurs for buckets overlap ratios with values close to 0.15. Khan et al. [9] tested different blade profiles of a Savonius rotor both in tunnel and natural wind conditions and they varied the overlap. The highest Cp of 0.375 was obtained for blade profile of S-section Savonius rotor at an optimum overlap ratio of 30%. Rogowski and Maroński [10] studied the aerodynamic efficiency of the Savonius rotor using computational methods of fluid dynamics. The obtained CFD results are compared with the experiment. The study has demonstrated that the CFD methods confirm the experimental results and can be used to optimize the shape of buckets of the Savonius rotor. Mohamed et al. [11] considered an improved design in order to increase the output power of a Savonius turbine with either two or three blades. Choudhury et al. [12] analyzed flow characteristics of two bladed Savonius rotor with 2D and 3D analyses using CFD ANSYS Fluent software. They also studied the static pressure, the velocity, the vorticity and the turbulent kinetic energy. According to their results, the drag and the torque coefficient are maximum respectively at 0 and 30° rotor blade angles, the vorticity and the turbulent kinetic energy show the maximum value at 30° rotor blade angle. Driss et al. [13] conducted a computational fluid dynamic study to present the local characteristics of the turbulent flow around a Savonius wind rotor. They compared their numerical results with experimental results and a good agreement was obtained. Driss et al. [14] made a numerical simulation of the turbulent flow around a small incurved Savonius rotor and compared the results with experimental results conducted in an open wind tunnel. In comparison with a circular Savonius rotor, the flow circulation of this rotor is enhanced. Driss et al. [15] compared different design of rotors characterized by the bucket angles equal to ψ=60°, ψ=75°, ψ=90° and ψ=130°. It has been noted that the depression zones increase with the increase of the bucket arc angle. The acceleration zone, where the maximum velocity values are recorded, is formed in the convex surface of the rotor bucket and gets greater as the bucket arc. The wakes characteristics of the maximum turbulent values are more developed with the increase of the bucket arc angle. Matrawy et al. [16] considered main design and performance parameters of a small scale vertical axis wind turbine. They designed two models (Two and Four cambered blades) and tested in an open wind tunnel. They studied parameters including the variation of the rotational speed at different blade angles as well as the variation of torque and power coefficients at different tip-speed ratios. They also carried out to the investigation on the performance of the turbine with and without leading edge flap blades. The experimental results showed that the blade angle of 45° increases the performance of the vertical axis turbine comparing to the other ones for both two and four-bladed rotors. Using of flap blade showed increase of the power coefficient by 2.4% compared with the same model without flap blade. Ahmed et al. [17] designed vertical axis wind turbine model having three frames with cavity vanes, fabricated and tested in a low-speed wind tunnel. This type of model has a high drag coefficient when the vanes close the frame on one side while rotating with wind direction and capture the wind efficiently. On the other side, the frame rotates in the opposite direction of the wind which opens the frame causing the wind to pass through the frame with low resistance. The model is tested in a wind tunnel with different wind speeds. This new model gives the maximum power coefficient of 0.32 at a wind speed of 8.2 m/s and tip speed ratio of 0.31. Other works [18-21] performed unsteady simulation and compared improved version of Savonius rotor to contribute on the improvement of Savonius rotor. Roy et al. [22] reviewed the numerical works. They have shown that with the selection of a proper computational methodology, the design, performance, and efficiency of a Savonius rotor can be enhanced significantly.

In this context, we are interested in studying the effect of the incidence angle on the aerodynamic characteristics of the flow around a Savonius wind rotor. For thus, we develop numerical simulations of the turbulent flow using a CFD code.

2. Geometric Parameters and Boundary Conditions

The examined Savonius rotor consists of two half-cylinder buckets of diameter d=0.3 m. The overlap is equal to e=72 mm (Figure 1). For the inlet velocity, we take a value of V=9.95 m.s⁻¹, and for the outlet pressure, a value of p=101325 Pa is considered (Figure 2). In this study, we have studied different incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°. The computational domain effect on the aerodynamic structure around the Savonius wind rotor was previously studied and 40000 cells have been used for the calculations [23].

Figure 1. Savonius rotor

Figure 2. Boundary conditions

3. Numerical Model

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are conducted using the commercial CFD code Fluent to study the turbulent flow around a Savonius wind rotor. This code is based on solving Navier-Stokes equations with a finite volume discretization method. Standard k-ε turbulence model has been used for the analysis of the turbulent flow. In fact, this model has been used in different anterior works and satisfactory results were obtained [23,24].

The mathematical formulation is based on the Navier-Stokes equations. The equations for the conservation of the mass and momentum in the numerical analysis can be written as follows in the Cartesian system.

The continuity equation is:

[picture] | (1)

The momentum equation is:

[picture] | (2)

Where is defined by:

[picture] | (3)

In the present work, we have used the k-ε turbulence model. The transport equations for the turbulent kinetic energy k and the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy ε are written as follows:

[picture] | (4)

[picture] | (5)

The turbulent viscosity is defined by:

[picture] | (6)

4. Numerical Results

4.1. Velocity Field

Figure 3 presents the distribution of the velocity field in the considered computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°. According to these results, the flow appears uniform in the entry of the computational domain. After then, a slowdown of the flow has been noted in the two buckets. Two wakes characteristics of the maximum values of the velocity appear on the two sides of the rotor. A wake characteristic of the minimum value of the velocity occurs downstream of the rotor. A clear asymmetry of the two wakes characteristics of the maximum values of the velocity is shown for an incidence angle equal to θ=0° and θ=30° (Figure 3.a and Figure 3.b). By increasing the incidence angle, the two wake zones become clearly symmetrical for θ=60° and θ=90° (Figure 3.c and Figure 3.d). The dissymmetry resumed again, but in the other direction for θ=120° and θ=150° (Figure 3.e and Figure 3.f). For θ=0°, it has been observed the formation of a recirculation zone in the upper and the lower concave surface of the two buckets. These two zones of recirculation are located downstream of the rotor for θ=0°. However, these two areas are larger for θ=60° and θ=90°. For θ=120°, it has been observed an asymmetry between the two recirculation areas. These two areas become more reduced and disappear for θ=150°. In this case, it has been observed a small area of recirculation on the two surfaces of the two buckets. In addition, it has been noted a formation of a wake characteristic of the minimum values which appear in the form of a band. The width of this band directly depends on the incidence angle. In fact, the maximal width of the band is obtained for θ=60° and θ=120°. The width of this band is reduced for an angle of incidence equal to θ=0° and θ=150°. For the different values of the incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°, the maximum values of the velocity are equal respectively to V=15.4 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 3.a), V=15.9 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 3.b), V=15.3 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 3.c), V=16.1 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 3.d), V=14.7 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 3.e) and V=14.2 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 3.f). The maximum value is obtained for an angle of incidence equal to θ=90°.

4.2. Mean Velocities

Figure 4 presents the distribution of the mean velocity in the computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles. According to these results, it has been noted that in the entry of the computational domain, the mean velocity is equal to V=9.95 m.s-1 which is the value already imposed by the boundary conditions. At the Savonius rotor, this value decreases greatly and reaches low values. Two wakes characteristics of the maximum values appear on the two sides of the rotor. Downstream of the rotor, it has been observed a wake characteristic of the minimum values. A dissymmetry of the two wakes characteristics of the maximum values is shown for the incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30° and θ=150° (Figure 4a, Figure 4.b and Figure 4.f). With the increase of the incidence angle, the two wakes become clearly symmetrical for θ=60°, θ=90° and θ=120° (Figure 4.c, Figure 4.d and Figure 4.e). However, it has been noted a formation of a wake characteristic of the minimum values behind the rotor. This wake appears in a form of a band form which depends on the incidence angle. In fact, the maximum width of the band is obtained for θ=30° and θ=90°. For the different values of the incidence angle equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°, the maximum values are equal respectively to V=14.5 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 4.a), V=15.2 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 4.b), V=14.8 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 4.c), V=14.9 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 4.d), V=14.7 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 4.e) and V=14.1 m.s⁻¹ (Figure 4.f). Indeed, it has been noted that the maximum value is obtained for an incidence angle equal to θ=30°.

4.3. Static Pressure

Figure 5 presents the distribution of the static pressure in the computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles. While examining these results, it has been noted that the static pressure is maximum at the rotor. In fact, a compressure zone appears upstream of the rotor and grows on the concave surface of the upper bucket. Behind the rotor, a depression zone has been observed. This zone extends up to the output of the computational domain. By comparing these results between them, it has been noted that the variation of the incidence angle affects the distribution of the static pressure. In fact, for θ=0°, a depression zone has been observed near the Savonius rotor (Figure 5.a). Whereas, for θ=30°, θ=60° and θ=90° (Figures 5.b, Figure 5.c and Figure 5.d), it has been observed a compressure zone on the concave surface of the upper bucket of the rotor. This depression appears again for the incidence angles equal to θ=120° and θ=150° (Figures 5.e and 5.f). For the different values of the incidence angle equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°, the maximum values of the static pressure are equal respectively to P=73.9 Pa (Figure 5.a), P=144 Pa (Figure 5.b), P=92 Pa (Figure 5.c), P=20.5 Pa (Figure 5.d), P=39.9 Pa (Figure 5.e) and P=77.2 Pa (Figure 5.f). Indeed, it has been noted that the maximum value of the static pressure is obtained for an incidence angle equal to θ=30°.

Figure 3. Distribution of the velocity field

Figure 4. Distribution of the mean velocity

4.4. Dynamic Pressure

Figure 6 presents the distribution of the dynamic pressure in the computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles. According to these results, it has been noted that in the entry of the computational volume, the dynamic pressure is fairly low. At the Savonius rotor, a decrease in the values of the dynamic pressure has been noted. These values decrease greatly and reach low values. Two compressure zones characteristics of the maximum values appear in the concave and convex surfaces of the upper and the lower buckets. Downstream of the rotor, it has been observed the appearance of a depression zone characteristic of the minimum values. A dissymmetry of the two areas of the wakes characteristics of the maximum values appears for θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=120° and θ=150° (Figure 6.a, Figure 6.b, Figure 6.e and Figure 6.f). With the increase of the incidence angle, the two areas of wake become clearly symmetrical for θ=60° and θ=90° and (Figure 6.c, Figure 6.d and Figure 6.e). However, it has been observed the depression zone behind the rotor. This zone appears in a form of a band which depends directly on the incidence angle. In fact, the maximum width of the band is obtained for θ=120° and θ=150°. For the different values of the incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°, the maximum values are equal respectively to P=145 Pa (Figure 6.a), P=154 Pa (Figure 6.b), P=144 Pa (Figure 6.c), P=156 Pa (Figure 6.d), P=132 Pa (Figure 6.e) and P=122 Pa (Figure 6.f). The maximum value is obtained for an incidence angle equal to θ=90°.

Figure 5. Distribution of the static pressure

Figure 6. Distribution of the dynamic pressure

4.5. Turbulent kinetic energy

Figure 7 presents the distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy in the computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles. According to these results, it has been noted that the turbulent kinetic energy is very low in the entry of the computational domain. On the rotor, the turbulent kinetic energy increases, especially on the edges of the two buckets. In fact, it has been observed an occurrence of a wake zone characteristic of the maximum values of the turbulent kinetic energy. For θ=0° (Figure 7.a), this region is located on the outer surface of the upper bucket of the rotor. Whereas, for θ=30° (Figure 7.b), this region appears on the outer surface of the lower bucket. By increasing the incidence angle θ=60° and θ=90° (Figure 7.c and Figure 7.d), it has been noted two wake characteristics of the maximum values. These wakes are located in the external attack side of the upper bucket and on the convex surface of the lower bucket of the Savonius rotor. These two wakes become more extended for an incidence angle equal to θ=120° (Figure 7.e). Away from the rotor, the turbulent kinetic energy becomes very low. For the different values of the incidence angle equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°, the maximum values of the turbulent kinetic energy are equal respectively to k=15.9 m².s⁻² (Figure 7.a), k=30 m².s⁻² (Figure 7.b), k=45.1 m².s⁻² (Figure 7.c), k=41.9 m².s⁻² (Figure 7.d), k=22.2 m².s⁻² (Figure 7.e) and k=18.2 m2.s⁻² (Figure 7.f). The maximum value of the turbulent kinetic energy is obtained for the incidence angle equal to θ=60°.

Figure 7. Distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy

Figure 8. Distribution of the of the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy

4.6. Dissipation Rate of the Turbulent Kinetic Energy

Figure 8 presents the distribution of the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy in the computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles. According to these results, it has been noted that the wake characteristic of the maximum values is located on the convex surface of the lower bucket of the Savonius rotor as well as in the external attack zone of the upper bucket. Outside this area, a very fast decrease of the dissipation rate has been observed. In addition, these results show that the variation of the incidence angle has a direct effect on the location of the wake zone characteristic of the maximum values. For example, for the incidence angle θ=0°, the wake is located on the convex surface of the upper bucket of the Savonius rotor (Figure 8.a). However, for θ =30°, it has been noted an extension of the wake zone in the external attack zone of the upper bucket (Figure 8.b). also, it has been noted an occurrence of an extended wake on the convex surface of the lower bucket. This wake disappears for θ=60° and θ=90° and it appears on the external attack side of the upper bucket of the rotor. The same fact is presented for the incidence angles θ=120° and θ=150° with the emergence of a second area of wake on the convex surface of the lower bucket. For the different values of the incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150°, the maximum values of the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy are equal respectively to ε =7330 m².s⁻³ (Figure 8.a), ε=14900 m².s⁻³ (Figure 8.b), ε=62000 m².s⁻³ (Figure 8.c), ε=43500 m².s⁻³ (Figure 8.d), ε=19000 m².s⁻³ (Figure 8.e) and ε=87200 m².s⁻³ (Figure 8.f). The maximum value of the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy is obtained for the incidence angle equal to θ=150°.

Figure 9. Distribution of the turbulent viscosity

4.7. Turbulent Viscosity

Figure 9 presents the distribution of the turbulent viscosity in the computational domain with a zoom around the Savonius rotor for different incidence angles. According to these results, it has been noted that the turbulent viscosity is low upstream of the rotor. The values of the turbulent viscosity increase and reach very important values in the two walls above and below the considered computational domain. Also, it has been noted the formation of two wakes characteristics of the maximum values. However, in the Savonius rotor, it has been observed a rapid decrease in the values of the turbulent viscosity. Furthermore, it has been noted that the incidence angle has a direct effect on the distribution of the turbulent viscosity. In fact, for θ=60°, θ=90° and θ=120°, the wakes are located in the two upper and lower wall of the computational domain. The area of the wake extends even more for θ=150°, θ=30° and θ=0°. In these cases, a wake zone characteristic of the minimum values is developed in the rotor and extends downstream of the rotor. When the incidence angle increases, this wake is divided into two asymmetric parts. Indeed, it has been noted that the maximum value of the turbulent viscosity is obtained for θ=90° (Figure 9.d) while the minimum value is obtained for θ=0° (Figure 9.a).

Figure 10. Evolution of the static torque coefficient CMs

5. Comparison with Anterior Results

In this section, we are interested in the study of the influence of the incidence angle θ on the variation of the static torque coefficient CMs of the Savonius rotor. Several incidence angles equal to θ=0°, θ=30°, θ=60°, θ=90°, θ=120° and θ=150° have been examined. Table 1 summarizes the different values of the static torque Ms as well as the static torque coefficient CMs. The variation of the CMs as a function of the incidence angle is presented in figure 10 using the Cartesian and the polar schematization. According to these results, it has been noted that the value of the CMs is quite low for an incidence angle θ=0°. By increasing θ, it has been observed an increase of the static torque coefficient CMs. Indeed, the static torque coefficient reaches a maximum value equal to CMs=0.75 for θ=60°. From this angle, it has been observed a decrease of the value of the CMs, which reaches a minimum value equal to CMs=0.12 for an incidence angle θ=120°. After then, it has been noted an increase and then a decrease in the values of CMs. The results are already expected due to the symmetry presented by the Savonius rotor. The values of the static torque coefficients found for different incidence angles are compared with those found by Menet and Cottier [25]. The profiles of the static torques present the same evolution of the curve. The good agreement confirms the validity of the numerical method.

Table 1. CMs values for different incidence angles

6. Conclusion

Numerical simulation of the turbulent flow around a Savonius wind rotor was investigated for different incidence angles. According to the obtained results, the incidence angle of the Savonius wind rotor has a direct effect on the turbulent flow. Local characteristics such as velocity field, mean velocity, static pressure, dynamic pressure, turbulent kinetic energy, dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent viscosity are different from one configuration to another. The variation of the coefficient of the static torque CMs of the Savonius rotor was also studied and numerical results were compared with those obtained by anterior results. A good agreement was obtained and confirmed the numerical method. In the future, we propose to study the effect of the overlap of the buckets on the turbulent flow around the Savonius wind rotor.

Nomenclature

Cp: coefficient of the power, dimensionless

C1ε: constant of the k-ε turbulence model, dimensionless

C2ε: constant of the k-ε turbulence model, dimensionless

Cμ: constant of the k-ε turbulence model, dimensionless

CMs: static torque coefficient

d: rotor diameter, m

e: bucket thickness, m

Fi: Force components, N

Gk: production term of turbulence, kg.m⁻¹.s⁻³

k: turbulent kinetic energy, J.kg⁻¹

Ms: static torque

P: pressure, Pa

ui: velocity components, m.s⁻¹

ui’: fluctuating velocity components, m.s⁻¹

ε: dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy, W.kg⁻¹

μ: dynamic viscosity, Pa.s

μt: turbulent viscosity, Pa.s

ρ: density, kg.m⁻³

σk: constant of the k-ε turbulence model

σε: constant of the k-ε turbulence model

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