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An experimental study on the rotational behaviour of a Savonius wind turbine for two-lane highway applications

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Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this work is to understand the behaviour of a Savonius wind turbine (SWT) on two-lane highways located in Coimbatore district, India. Experiments were conducted by placing a Savonius wind turbine (SWT) on the sides of the highway during the south-west monsoon season in three different directional roads, i.e., south-west to north-east, south to north and west to east. Vehicles moving on the highway at varying speeds modify the velocity of air locally, which in turn results in varying the drag forces on the blades of SWT, setting it in motion. An economical SWT was designed, fabricated and tested in a wind tunnel and on the highways, and the angular rotational speeds were measured. Based on the data obtained, further analysis was done to understand the behavioural patterns of SWT. Data obtained from the experiments show a “negative drag force”, which is created in two-way lanes by the vehicles moving in opposite direction, affecting the rotational speed of SWT by a significant proportion. These conditions have been studied and the results have been discussed.

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Abbreviations

D :

Diameter of the wind rotor (m)

E:

East

N:

North

NHAI:

National Highways Authority of India

R 2 :

Coefficient of linear regression

S :

South

TSR:

Tip–speed ratio

T :

Torque (Nm)

W:

West

N A :

Rotational speed of Savonius wind turbine at SW to NE road (RPM)

N B :

Rotational speed of Savonius wind turbine at S to N road (RPM)

N C :

Rotational speed of Savonius wind turbine at W to E road (RPM)

v A :

Wind velocity at SW to NE road (m/s)

v A :

Wind velocity at S to N road (m/s)

v A :

Wind velocity at W to N road (m/s)

NE:

North East

NH:

National highways

SW:

South-west

a :

Swept area (m2)

d :

Diameter of the semi-cylindrical wind rotor (m)

p :

Power coefficient

r :

Radius of the blade (m)

t :

Torque coefficient

v :

Air velocity (m/s)

ω:

Angular velocity of the blade (rad/s)

ρ :

Air density (Kg/m3)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering, RVS College of Engineering and Technology, Affiliated To Anna University, Coimbatore, 641402, India

    Senthilvel Santhakumar

  2. Production Engineering, Government College of Technology, Affiliated To Anna University, Coimbatore, 641013, India

    Ilamathi Palanivel

  3. Ather Energy, Bangalore, 560034, India

    Krishnanand Venkatasubramanian

Authors
  1. Senthilvel Santhakumar
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  2. Ilamathi Palanivel
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  3. Krishnanand Venkatasubramanian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Senthilvel Santhakumar.

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Technical Editor: Aline Souza de Paula.

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Santhakumar, S., Palanivel, I. & Venkatasubramanian, K. An experimental study on the rotational behaviour of a Savonius wind turbine for two-lane highway applications. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 40, 232 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-018-1158-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-018-1158-9

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