Aerodynamic Behavior of Rear-Tubercle Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade

Abstract

This chapter presents the study of wind energy performance using different wind turbine blades. The text contains three different sections of the study. The first of which involves the design of three airfoil-based turbine blades designed and tested in the wind tunnel laboratory. The airfoils were verified independently to investigate the lift and drag forces developed by varying wind velocities through a wind tunnel. The second section of the study is the redesign and improvement of a support structure used to mount each blade being tested in the wind tunnel. An ideal structure will produce no forces or moments that may affect results obtained from the turbine blade. The final portion of the chapter is an improvement of the wind turbine column developed for the extensive testing. This testing was done by putting a strain gauge on the column to test compression and tension during oscillation. If testing shows that the support bar decreases vibration enough, the design was accepted and implemented. Additional improvement to the wind turbine column was the addition of Plexiglas/polycarbonate to supporting the new motor, along with an improved turbine blade hub. This improvement holds the wind turbine in place and increases efficiency that would typically have been lost due to excess movement. The designed hub allows the wind turbine mast to attach to the motor securely. The important discoveries through the improvement of wind turbine blades are discussed toward the end of this chapter.