Calibration data for improved correction of uvw propeller anemometers

Technical Report · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5983356· OSTI ID:5983356

Connell, J R ^[1]; Morris, V R ^[2]

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1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
2. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)

Wind turbine test programs sponsored by the US DOE in the late 1980s called for measurement of three-dimensional turbulent wind with an accuracy not previously required. The Pacific Northwest Laboratory identified the need for more complete, more highly resolved, and more accurate calibrations to provide the new level of measurement capability. The uvw propeller anemometer, became the object of a unique calibration effort at a large wind tunnel at Colorado State University. A uvw anemometer, will all three propellers active, was installed in the wind tunnel on a digitally stepped two-axis rotary platform placed just below the tunnel floor. The azimuth and elevation of the anemometer in a steady wind at each of a selected set of speeds was stepped through a complete test program using a digital computer as controller and a digital data acquisition system to sample and filter the data. Tests were run using polypropylene and carbon fiber propellers. In addition, the effects of attaching shaft extensions'' to the polypropylene propellers were measured. Calibrations for the polypropylene four-blade propeller provide an improved level of detail and repeatability. The uvw propeller anemometer is quite accurate at all wind angles and speeds to be experienced in wind energy studies, including winds blowing at right angles to the axis of rotation of a propeller. The new correction factors derived from these data eliminate previous difficulties in accuracy and speed of data reduction from voltages to wind speed components. Calibration data for a carbon-fiber thermoplastic propeller are presented with resolution similar to that for the polypropylene propellers. 8 refs., 15 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5983356
• Report Number(s): PNL-7824; ON: DE92002935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170604 -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Site Characteristics
440800* -- Miscellaneous Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ANEMOMETERS
CALIBRATION
CORRECTIONS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
LEVELS
MACHINERY
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYPROPYLENE
REINFORCED MATERIALS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TESTING
THERMOPLASTICS
TUNNELS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
VELOCITY
WIND
WIND TUNNELS
WIND TURBINES