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Numerical Evaluation of Airfoils with Tilted Cavities for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Applications
Last modified: 2023-05-15
Abstract
Numerical Evaluation of Airfoils with Tilted Cavities for
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Applications
Ioana Octavia Bucur1, a), Daniel-Eugeniu Crunteanu1, b) and
Madalin Dombrovschi2, c)
1Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 1, 011061 Bucharest,
Romania
2Eferka Technologies SRL, 21st Dimitrie Cantemir Bd., 040236 Bucharest, Romania
a) Corresponding author: ioana96bucur@gmail.com
b)daniel.crunteanu@upb.ro
c)madalin.dombrovschi@gmail.com
Abstract. Given the prevailing economic and social circumstances, there has been a notable rise in the demand for clean
energy, with wind energy being among the most widely utilized sources of clean energy. This is attributed to the
declining costs of wind energy technology and the significant advances being made in its technical capabilities. The
compact design, low wind speed requirements for starting, and low noise levels of small-scale vertical axis wind turbines
(VAWTs) make them a viable solution for urban environments. With advancements in VAWT technology and
optimization, their efficiency has been significantly improved to a level that now allows them to compete with the more
commonly used horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). The study presented in this paper employs computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) to conduct a numerical evaluation of multiple airfoil geometries that have been modified with tilted
cavities of varying sizes. The objective is to identify the airfoil geometry that is best suited for VAWT applications, while
maintaining a high lift coefficient and minimal impact on the drag coefficient. The base airfoil used in this analysis is the
NACA0012, which is compared with the airfoils that have been modified with tilted cavities. The primary goal of this
investigation is to develop an airfoil that is better suited for VAWT applications and enhances aerodynamic performance.
The findings of this study indicate that one of the modified airfoils demonstrates superior aerodynamic characteristics
compared to the NACA0012 airfoil.
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Applications
Ioana Octavia Bucur1, a), Daniel-Eugeniu Crunteanu1, b) and
Madalin Dombrovschi2, c)
1Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 1, 011061 Bucharest,
Romania
2Eferka Technologies SRL, 21st Dimitrie Cantemir Bd., 040236 Bucharest, Romania
a) Corresponding author: ioana96bucur@gmail.com
b)daniel.crunteanu@upb.ro
c)madalin.dombrovschi@gmail.com
Abstract. Given the prevailing economic and social circumstances, there has been a notable rise in the demand for clean
energy, with wind energy being among the most widely utilized sources of clean energy. This is attributed to the
declining costs of wind energy technology and the significant advances being made in its technical capabilities. The
compact design, low wind speed requirements for starting, and low noise levels of small-scale vertical axis wind turbines
(VAWTs) make them a viable solution for urban environments. With advancements in VAWT technology and
optimization, their efficiency has been significantly improved to a level that now allows them to compete with the more
commonly used horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). The study presented in this paper employs computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) to conduct a numerical evaluation of multiple airfoil geometries that have been modified with tilted
cavities of varying sizes. The objective is to identify the airfoil geometry that is best suited for VAWT applications, while
maintaining a high lift coefficient and minimal impact on the drag coefficient. The base airfoil used in this analysis is the
NACA0012, which is compared with the airfoils that have been modified with tilted cavities. The primary goal of this
investigation is to develop an airfoil that is better suited for VAWT applications and enhances aerodynamic performance.
The findings of this study indicate that one of the modified airfoils demonstrates superior aerodynamic characteristics
compared to the NACA0012 airfoil.