Application of numercal simulation to obtain the optimization pitch angle for VAWT

Abstract

A numerical investigation of the influence of pitch angle on vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) aerodynamic performance is carried out using the finite volume method. The attack angle of the wind turbine is studied under a speed ratio lambda = 3D 4, and the pitch angle of the wind turbine is adjusted to optimize the working attack angle and hence the aerodynamic performance of the turbine. The flow is assumed to be 2D fully turbulent and the fluid is incompressible, and turbulence is modeled by the k-w SST. The sliding mesh technique is adopted. The present study shows that an appropriate pitch angle can apparently improve the wind turbine power-coefficient.