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Diffuser augmentation of wind turbines

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7315654
Wind tunnel investigation of models of two diffuser design concepts is directed toward unconventional, very short, cost-effective configurations. One approach uses the energetic external wind to prevent separation of the diffuser's internal boundary layer. Another method used high lift airfoil contours for the diffuser wall shape. Diffuser model tests have indicated almost a doubling of wind power extraction capability for DAWTs compared to conventional turbines. Economic studies of DAWTs have used these test data and recent (1975) cost projections of wind turbines with diameter. The specific power costs ($/kW) for a realistic DAWT configuration are found to be lower than conventional wind turbines for very large size rotors, above 50 meters diameter, and for rotor diameters less than about 20 meters. The cost-to-benefit assessment for intermediate size rotors is affected by the uncertainty band of cost for these rotor sizes.
Research Organization:
Grumman Aerospace Corp., Bethpage, NY (USA). Research Dept.
OSTI ID:
7315654
Report Number(s):
CONF-760842-6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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