[aptahaney]

Hi everyone,
I am doing a 2D CFD analysis of a VAWT and thought I was in my last few days of analysis but have ran into a problem.

In order to do the Fluent analysis, I practiced the technique using the "Introduction to Fluent Workshop 7: Using Moving Reference Frames and Sliding Meshes (Version 15)". These were user friendly and do-able and I got the right answers, so I used the sliding mesh method as the basis of my remaining analsys.

However, when I completed my analysis, after several hours of computations, the average Monitors value I got was a negative value (I let the model run for 3 full rotations and took the last 360 degrees to calculate the average Cm value). This would suggest a negative torque value which is clearly wrong.

I do not know the exact reason for this, but I suspect it has something to do with the speed of rotation of the internal rotor, its flow across the interface and its effect on the air within the rotor section (but I can not be sure)....The reason I think this is that when I ran the Tutorial Workshop model, I had excellent flow across the interface, as shown in the attached. However, when I used my own model, there was not much flow across the interface at high rpm.

The wind speed in my problem is just 9m/s, my turbine diameter is 1.03m, and the tip speed ratio I have chosen initially is 1.5, resulting in a rotation at 250rpm by my calculations. This can be seen in the attached "Output at 250rpm".

When I ran my same model at 20rpm, the flow across the interface seems to be slightly improved. (see attached)

So, would the speed of rotation be negatively affecting my Moment Monitor results as I have described? If so, how can I fix it so that I am getting proper results. Is it just a matter of running the model for a longer period (say 7 full rotations) before taking the Monitor values so that it will be fully developed model?

If not, is there any other explanation for my poor results? Or what can I do to rectify them? How do people get around the problem of a low wind speed and a high rotational speed?

I am under quite a bit of pressure time-wise as my project is due in the next few weeks and I need these results before I can proceed any further, so I'd really appreciate any help you can offer.

thanks,

Aidan

Output at 250 RPM.jpg

Output at 20 RPM.jpg

Tutorial Output.jpg