Enhancing magnus-effect wind turbines with fixed blades: an experimental study

Abstract

The paper presents a study of a combined wind power plant (wind turbine) with a horizontal axis combining rotating cylindrical elements and fixed blades. The novelty of the installation lies in the use of the Magnus effect due to the rotation of the cylinders and the simultaneous introduction of a fixed plate to reduce the turbulence of the flow behind the cylinder. An experimental wind turbine model with a diameter of 50 cm has been developed, in which cylinders with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 23 cm are driven by electric motors, and a fixed blade with a width of 3 cm and a length of 24 cm is fixed parallel to each cylinder. Aerodynamic tests of the model were carried out in a wind tunnel at flow rates of 3-12 m/s and various angles of installation of the fixed blade. The experimental results demonstrate that as the angle of inclination of the fixed blade increases, the drag force of the rotor increases, but at angles above ~ 15 °, its sharp decrease is observed. The thrust force of the rotor increases with increasing flow velocity; the optimal blade angle ensures an increase in lifting force without a significant increase in resistance. The use of a fixed blade in conjunction with a rotating cylinder leads to an increase in wind energy utilization and wind turbine efficiency at low wind speeds.