naveen noronha

Abstract The objective of the present research work is to identify a suitable airfoil for the design of a small horizontal axis wind turbine. For the present study, different kinds of airfoils suggested for small horizontal axis wind turbines were selected from the wind turbine database and published literature. The selected airfoils were analysed using QBlade software for different Reynolds numbers (Re) and angles of attack (AoA). Besides, CFD analysis of the selected airfoil was carried out using Ansys Fluent package. After a detailed aerodynamic comparison, it was concluded that SG6043 is the most suitable airfoil for the small horizontal axis wind turbine operating at low wind speeds. Hence SG6043 can be suggested as the best performing airfoil among the compared airfoils for the given Re range.

In this paper we examine the effects of hot extrusion used as a secondary process in fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites (MMC’s). A comprehensive study was made on the properties of MMCs after Hot extrusion process. It was found that most properties are superior as compared to cold extrusion. Properties including hardness, impact strength, tensile properties, residual stresses etc. were found to be better for most of the MMC’s. The results are discussed with respective plots and reported.

An aerodynamic analysis is presented in the current work, which estimates the separation distance between the balloon and the turbine in an airborne wind energy system (AWES). The stability of the structure of AWES depends on the aerodynamic interaction between the turbine and the balloon. A minimum gap must be maintained between the balloon and the wind turbine to reduce the interaction between the balloon and the turbine assembly. Three cases of AWES have been studied with a separation gap of 5 m, 10 m, and 16 m to estimate the minimum distance of separation between the balloon and the turbine. The aerodynamic interaction details suggest that a minimum distance of 13 m needs to be maintained between the turbine and the balloon to avoid the interaction between the balloon and turbine. Steady-state simulations of the rotor are run for various wind conditions to evaluate the efficiency of the duct-mounted configuration. The ducted turbine configuration saw a 7.4% increase in torque t...

The objective of the present research work is to identify a suitable airfoil for the design of a small horizontal axis wind turbine. For the present study, different kinds of airfoils suggested for small horizontal axis wind turbines were selected from the wind turbine database and published literature. The selected airfoils were analysed using QBlade software for different Reynolds numbers (Re) and angles of attack (AoA). Besides, CFD analysis of the selected airfoil was carried out using Ansys Fluent package. After a detailed aerodynamic comparison, it was concluded that SG6043 is the most suitable airfoil for the small horizontal axis wind turbine operating at low wind speeds. Hence SG6043 can be suggested as the best performing airfoil among the compared airfoils for the given Re range.

This study intends to examine the performance of a balloon-assisted micro airborne wind turbine in a low wind speed location. The influence of the balloon separation gap on the airborne wind energy system (AWES) performance is also explored. A micro-AWES with a diameter of 3 m and a power output of 1 kW was fabricated and tested at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 m. Further, the optimum separation spacing of 13 m was maintained between the balloon and the ducted turbine to reduce balloon turbulence on the turbine. The airborne wind turbine achieved a maximum power output of 250 W at 250 m height while the average wind speed remained 6 m/s. The maximum power coefficient obtained was 0.25 while annual energy production (AEP) remained 1200 kWh. The low power coefficient is credited to the turbulence and drifting in the airborne system and the drag caused by the airborne structure. While a cost-effective commercial model of micro AWES is still being developed, the present work attempts to ha...

... One of the authors M. Sudhakar, R. Kishore, Reema Sarkari thank CSIR New Delhi for the award of Junior Research Fellowship. ... 6 Sanchez-Sanchez, MC, Navarro, RM and Fierro, JLG (2007) 'Ethanol steam reforming over Ni/MxOy-Al2O3 (M=Ce, La, Zr and Mg) catalysts ...