An Experimental Study on the Improvement of Savonius Turbine Performance Using Flexible Sails

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the mechanical productivity of the conventional Savonius rotor by using new type flexible and moving fabric curtains, termed “sails.” To this end, addition moving-type sails were designed to be mounted on a single-stage, four-blade rotor. After the theoretical positive effects of the new design on the mechanical productivity of the rotor were represented mathematically, a prototype of the rotor was built and its practical performance was tested under field conditions. The test results were compared to the performance of the conventional design. The new design was found to outperform the classical design in terms of starting and torque production, particularly at low wind speeds. Thus, the design changes reported in the present study contribute to improving the productivity of the conventional Savonius-type wind rotor, which is known to have a simple and easily implemented design but low mechanical efficiency.

Keywords:

• Savonius rotor
• Experimental performance
• Sail-type rotor design
• Wind energy
• Mechanical efficiency

Acknowledgments

Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/ljge.