Performance Enhancement of Vertical - Axis Wind Turbine by Design of Blade and Inlet Air Scoop

Abstract

This research report was the designed and constructed of a vertical axis wind turbine fixed with inlet air

scoop. It was aimed to obtain higher performance. Experiment was conducted by combination or variable

setting of inlet air scoop at 7 angles of 0, 15. 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degree and the adjustment of four

different Channel of passage area of 0.01-0.04 m2 as well as variable air inlet velocity of 4-8 m/s. The wind

tunnel has a cross section area of 0.5 x 0.25 m2 was designed and used as a test bed. Designed and tested

of wind turbine blade were conducted with backward curve of 15° of which it has a cross section area of

0.16 x 0.19 m2 and 6 blades. The results showed that it was obtained the highest performance, when inlet air

scoop angle was set at 75 o passage area at 0.01 m2 and at air velocity 8 m/s. Such combination generated

power output of 7.1 watts with maximum torque of 7.2 x 10 2 N.m and efficiency available from wind Energy transferred to axial turbine of 57.3 %. The experiment without inlet air scoop has the lower efficiency at 42.5%.