Optimization of Diffuser Type Wind Lens Geometry

Abstract

Conventional wind turbines are generally inefficient due to various losses it encounters. Losses such as tip vortex loss, noise. Furthermore, if more wind energy is converted by blades, it would result in high pressure drop in the wake of the blade, which will lead to back flow of the air. 

     The aim of this research is to increase the energy production of small wind turbines by increasing wind velocity at the turbine blades through the design of a shroud attachment (wind lens). The design process involves the analysis of various computer aided design (CAD) nozzle/diffuser shroud geometries. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling is used to analyse the effect of shroud features on velocity. The resulting design locally increases velocity by a factor of 1.3-1.4, and subsequent energy yield by a factor of 3-3.5 when compared to the performance of an un-shrouded turbine.