Simulation of Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbine Performance

The main objective of this research is to optimize the diffuser design of Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbine (DAWT). Specifically, this study investigates the effect of different shapes of diffusers to develop the suitable diffuser parameter for the wind turbine power enhancement. For that purpose, two diffuser cases have been recommended as an effective design in increasing wind speed, using a validated model of a small commercial wind turbine (AMPAIR-300) in it were developed and each case is simulated and analyzed using design software Solid-works and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) software Fluent-ANSYS-15, As per the study, for diffuser case-I, the diffuser splitter degrades the diffuser effect when its open angle higher than the diffuser open angle, for diffuser case-2 the diffuser splitter enhance the diffuser effect when its open angle lower than diffuser open angle, also adding inlet shroud directs the wind flow into the inlet of diffuser and the diffuser flange effect on the power enhancement was significant and also its induced axial load was significant, and it is recommended to study the optimum dimension of inlet shroud, diffuser flange and diffuser splitter to minimize the coefficient of thrust and to enhance the coefficient of power.