Computational fluid dynamics on a newly developed Savonius rotor by adding sub-buckets for increase of the tip speed ratio to generate higher output power coefficient

Abstract

The output power coefficient of the Savonius rotor needs to be improved in attaining better practical applications. Up until now, to improve the output power coefficient, the newly developed Savonius rotor with semi-elliptical sub-buckets has been introduced. However, some of the parameters on the semi-elliptical bucket have not yet been properly determined. Therefore, the influence of the additional semi-elliptical bucket’s shape in the newly developed Savonius rotor on the output power coefficient was investigated. The flow around the rotor was simulated by using the regularized lattice Boltzmann method. The virtual flux method was used to describe the shape of the rotor on Cartesian grids, and the multi-block method was used for the local fine grids around the rotor. The rotational speed of the Savonius rotor was maintained as a constant, and its performance was evaluated by the output power and torque coefficients. As a result, the additional semi-elliptical bucket successfully generated a positive torque during the advancing bucket period. While, it did not generate a large negative torque during the returning bucket period owing to its position behind the main bucket in the wind flow direction. Through a cycle, the semi-elliptical bucket only generated a positive torque with the interaction of the main bucket. The output power coefficient of the newly developed Savonius rotor was improved when compared to that of the traditional or Bach-type ones. The maximum output power coefficient of the newly developed Savonius rotor was 50.7% higher than that of the traditional rotor and 16.9% higher than that of the Bach-type rotor.