Effect of radial inflow on vortex intensification and its application to wind vortex generators
A new wind vortex turbine, called tornado-type wind generator system, was studied both theoretically and experimentally for the purpose of better understanding the basic nature of a vortex flow and further improvement of its power efficiencies. Analytical solutions were obtained from the Navier-Stokes equations for the velocity distributions along the radial distance. The result demonstrates the important nature of a vortex structure that, in order to intensify a vortex inside the tower, radial inflow must be provided from the side walls. Based upon this concept, the essential contribution of the experimental work was to furnish the radial inflow by utilizing the dynamic head of incoming wind. Static pressure measurements in the vortex core of the large spiral model showed that the maximum static pressure drop at the vortex center was more than 10 times the dynamic head of the wind with the radial inflow supply. The radial inflow lowered the pressure in the vortex core, a consequence of vortex intensification. In conclusion, extracting wind energy by creating and maintaining an extremely low pressure region of an intensified vortex at the turbine exit through viscous pumping is an improvement for wind machines in the aspect of C/sub p/ and, consequently, is a cost effective procedure.
- OSTI ID:
- 6029733
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Performance of tornado-type wind turbines with radial inflow supply
Performance of tornado-type wind turbines with radial inflow supply