Enhancing Savonius Rotor Performance With Zigzag Surface Investigated at Drag Force, Pressure, and Flow Visualization Analysis

Abstract

Savonius, a type of vertical-axis wind turbine, is a small-scale energy conversion device suitable for low wind speeds, such as those characteristic of Indonesian wind speeds, yet has low efficiency. Savonius is a drag-type turbine. Drag force on the surface is affected by roughness or wavyness. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of applying wavy (zigzag) variations to the concave surface of Savonius blades on their performance. This was achieved by the use of 3D computational fluid dynamics simulation at TSR 0.6 with a velocity inlet of 5 m/s. The model was semicircular, zigzag on the concave surface on semicircular with t = 0.75, t = 0.25, and t = 1 mm. The result of this study's CD maximum is 1,817 at the zigzag model with t = 1 and CD avrg =1.24. The average drag coefficient increased by 14 percent compared to the conventional semicircular rotor. The maximum Cp value is also found at t = 1 mm, which is 0.315. The power coefficient increased by 29 percent compared to the conventional semicircular rotor. The total pressure on the blade shows the highest model with t = 1 mm at the same angle of attack (α = 30). Zigzag on the concave surface affects blade pressure, which improves the performance of the Savonius rotor.