Design and experimental testing on the efficiency increase of a modified shielded Savonius wind turbine

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to design an efficient Savonius wind turbine model to be used in the Lebanese region. This project compares multiple designs that are created by different scholars from the basic Savonius design to the hybrid wind turbines with and without shielding. To achieve the purpose of this project. A literature overview was done to make the theory behind the vertical axis wind turbine and their different alterations and properties understandable to the masses. A basic model was created from a combination of the best results obtained by scholars, using solid works. Then it was simulated using CFD in steady state flow to understand the model and obtain the optimal characteristics when it is exposed to a wind flow. At the end a physical model was manufactured and was subjected to a wind tunnel testing. The wind tunnel test was made, at the Balamand university wind tunnel testing facility to obtain the actual experimental numbers in real life. It was concluded from all the previous listed steps, that the shielding for the wind turbine will be more efficient and more applicable in the Lebanese region. And it has been proved that the curtain design shield is the most efficient shield to be installed on the Savonius turbine, with an 80% of power coefficient.