A review on the use of passive flow control devices as performance enhancement of lift‐type vertical axis wind turbines

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review about passive flow control devices (PFCDs) implemented in lift‐type vertical axis wind turbine (LVAWT), focusing on the underlying flow physics mechanisms and to what extents they can improve the LVAWT performance. In addition, some novel concepts that can be potentially implemented in future are also presented. Based on literature review, it is observed that PFCDs can enhance the power generation of LVAWT up to 172.73% compared with a clean LVAWT. However, this significant improvement still needs to be evaluated carefully by considering the economic feasibility aspect, because PCFDs can increase the design complexity, weight penalty and manufacturing cost of LVAWT. Furthermore, it is essential to design and evaluate the effectiveness of PFCDs using a full VAWT configuration by considering the blade rotating effects and blade‐to‐blade interactions. Finally, evaluation of PFCDs needs to be performed at all ranges of tip speed ratios (TSRs) operation conditions, as there are clear evidences on the correlation between LVAWT performance and different range of TSRs. This article is categorized under: Sustainable Energy > Wind Energy

Investigation into the Aerodynamic Performance of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Endplate Design

“…However, this configuration deteriorates the performance at low TSRs. The same observation is reported in [14], where flow control devices performed differently across all TSR regimes.…”

“…To weaken these blade tip losses, wingtip devices such as endplates, elliptical terminations, and winglets are commonly utilised in the aerospace and automotive sector to improve aerodynamic performance. These wingtip devices reduce spanwise flow due to the pressure difference between both sides of an aerofoil and improve the aerodynamic characteristic of the wing or blade [9,[12][13][14]. For instance, Jung et al [13] numerically investigated the effect of an endplate on a wing-in-ground (WIG) craft's wingtip over the free surface.…”

“…Syawitri et al [14] reviewed a range of passive flow control devices (PFCDs) to enhance the lift-type VAWT's performance via minimising flow separation and reducing dynamic stalls without external power input. Winglets weaken the tip vortex by preventing flow mixing between the pressure and suction sides at the blade tip.…”

Performance enhancement of an H‐Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine via moving surface boundary‐layer control

“…VAWTs are favored by domestic and foreign researchers because of their simple structure, easy maintenance, low noise, no yaw devices, and less influence by the direction of incoming flow 3–7 . However, compared with HAWT, the maximum power coefficient of VAWT is relatively low, and when the tip speed ratio (TSR) is 0–1, the power coefficient of lift‐type VAWT is virtually 0 8 . To solve this problem, researchers have conducted a lot of research and exploration, and some progress has been made.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7] However, compared with HAWT, the maximum power coefficient of VAWT is relatively low, and when the tip speed ratio (TSR) is 0-1, the power coefficient of lift-type VAWT is virtually 0. 8 To solve this problem, researchers have conducted a lot of research and exploration, and some progress has been made. But there are still some problems to be solved, with a very broad development space.…”