| Summary, etc |
The study focuses on developing a Darrieus-type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) enhanced with magnetic levitation and a wind diffuser to optimize energy production. The goal was to improve rotor stability and airflow efficiency, thereby enhancing overall turbine performance. A prototype was built and tested with three magnet configurations: one with a magnet at the center, one with a magnet at the side, and one without magnets. Additionally, various flange angles (0° to 90°) were examined for their effects on airflow and turbine speed. Using an industrial fan, wind speeds between 2-6 m/s were simulated for testing. Results indicated that the center magnet configuration yielded the highest power output at 0.65 watts, followed by the side magnet configuration at 0.63 watts. The turbine without magnets produced only 0.54 watts. A 0° flange angle offered the best airflow and improved turbine speed. The enhanced turbine, which incorporated both MagLev and wind diffuser technologies, achieved an energy efficiency of 73.59% at a wind speed of 3 m/s from the actual and theoretical power, which is 6.28 W and 8.53 W, significantly outperforming the base model's 6.80% from the 0.58 W actual power and 8.53 theoretical power. The economic analysis showed a return on investment (ROI) of 6.1% for the enhanced turbine compared to 2.9% for the base model. The integration of these technologies significantly improved VAWT performance, especially at lower wind speeds, increasing energy efficiency and reducing the payback period. Future research should focus on material optimization and testing under natural wind conditions. |
CSU-Carig