Analysis of the flow around a Savonius rotor

Abstract

In this project, we experimentally analyze the flow field through a Savonius rotor, which operates inside a wind-tunnel. For this we have made 3 sets of experiments: In the first one, we compare the information taken by a one directional probe, and the information taken by a two directional probe, so we give information about the way, or the different ways of measuring the speed of the wind. In the second one we compare the computation of the flow rate by mean of two meshes: one with 81 points of measuring, the other with 25 points of measuring, moreover we measure the speed of the wind ahead the rotor with different values of frequency for the fan and different values of rotational speed for the turbine. In the third one we analyze the flow field behind the Savonius rotor by means of an in-fase average technique. This project is useful for the researchers who are trying to find the best way of combining different kind of rotors, also for the researchers who are trying to improve the wind farms of vertical axis, therefore it is not an isolated project, it is into the development of alternative energy sources and, especially in the development in the field of domestic use. The present thesis begins describing the situation and the importance of the wind energy in the world and in Italy, and how important the rotor of vertical axis are, we will describe this kind of rotors and specifically the Savonius rotor. Secondly, we describe the tools and the instruments that we have used to carry out these experiments, and the scientific theory about the wind energy. Eventually, we describe the details of any experiment, and we show the information that we got, through all this information we will give conclusions.