Stress and Fatigue Life Prediction of the H-Type Darrieus Vertical Axis Turbine for Micro-Hydropower Applications

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the structural behavior of the Darrieus Hydro-kinetic turbine at different upstream velocity values and rotational rates. For that purpose, one-way fluid-structure interaction is performed to predict stresses, deformation and fatigue life of the turbine. To determine real-time fluid loads three-dimensional fluid flow simulations were performed, the obtained fluid loads were transferred to the structural finite element analysis model. CFD simulation results were validated with experimental results from literature where the close agreement was noticed. Structural analysis results revealed that the highest stresses are produced in the struts and at the joint where the shaft is connected with struts. Moreover, it was also found that the stress produced in the turbine is highly non-linear against Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) i.e inflow water velocity. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) results showed that maximum values of stresses were found in the turbine strut having a value 131.99MPa, which lower than the yield strength of the material, the fatigue life of 117520 cycles and factor of safety 1.89. The study also found that increased inflow velocity results increase in stress and deformation produced in the turbine. Additionally, the study assumed Aluminum Alloy as turbine blade material, further; it was found that the blade which confronts flow, experience higher stresses. Moreover, the study concluded that strut, blade-strut joint and strut-shaft joint are the critical parts of the turbine, require careful design consideration. Furthermore, the study also suggests that the turbine blade may be kept hollow to reduce turbine weight; hence inertia and turbine struts and shaft should be made of steel or the material having higher stiffness and strength.