Numerical and experimental investigation for helical savonius rotor performance improvement using novel blade shapes

• Published in: Ocean engineering Vol. 309; p. 118357
• Main Authors: Lajnef, Mariem, Mosbahi, Mabrouk, Abid, Hasna, Driss, Zied, Amato, Emanuele, Picone, Calogero, Sinagra, Marco, Tucciarelli, Tullio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2024
• Subjects: Aerodynamic flow characteristics; Delta bladed shape; Helical savonius rotor; Performance characteristics; Two-stage delta bladed shape; Aerodynamic flow characteristics; Two-stage delta bladed shape; Performance characteristics; Delta bladed shape; Helical savonius rotor
• ISSN: 0029-8018; 1873-5258
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.118357

Wind energy is extensively invested as a renewable and clean energy source. Savonius wind rotor, as an energy converter, has the merit of being appropriate for specific applications. The current paper centers on the performance enhancement of a helical Savonius wind rotor through the blade shape modification. The basic objective is to assess and compare, numerically and experimentally, the performance of two rotors with novel blade shapes named delta bladed and two-stage delta bladed shapes in relation to a helical Savonius rotor. Numerical study was conducted using Ansys Fluent software. 3-D unsteady simulations were carried out through the use of the SST k-ω turbulence model based on the finite volume method solver. Aerodynamic flow and performance characteristics were investigated. Static and dynamic experimental tests were undertaken on a wind tunnel. An improvement in Cp by 22.58 % and 29.5 % for the two-stage delta bladed rotor and 19.35 % and 16.4 % for the delta bladed rotor over the helical Savonius rotor was recorded, respectively, numerically and experimentally. In addition, the self-starting ability as well as the aerodynamic flow characteristics of the helical rotor were enhanced with the novel blade shapes.
•Savonius wind turbines suffers low power efficiency.•This research paper proposes novel blade shapes of helical Savonius wind rotor.•Three rotors have been investigated experimentally and numerically.•The blade shape affects positively the performance of the helical Savonius rotor.•The maximum power coefficient was increased by 29.5% over the helical Savonius rotor.