Performance Investigation of Wind Rotor in Open and Bounded Environments

Wind rotor usually operates in free surrounding condition or open environment. The
efficiency of the power output is depend on how much wind energy can be converted
by the wind rotor. The aim of this project is to conduct experiment which will lead to
the wind rotor performance investigation upon the installation in bounded
environment. Assumption made regarding the efficiency of wind rotor is that it will
increase in bounded environment due to the reduction width of side escape streamline
of the wind flow. Thus, this will increase the power production rate of the wind
rotor. Two different types rotor blades design were tested in several methods of
installation to investigate the performance. These rotor blades were tested in three
types of installation which are in open, partially bounded and fully bounded
environments. The data required from this experiment are the rotor blade rotation per
minute (RPM) and the rotating torque of the rotor blade (N.m). Based on the data
obtained during experiment, wind rotor performance criteria which are power
coefficient (Cp), torque coefficient (CT), tip speed ratio (TSR) and rotor power (Pcotoc)
can be evaluated by calculation. This report emphasis and focus on brief explanation
of general and specific views and perspectives of wind rotor. This is a continuation
of the "Progress Report" submitted earlier this semester for Final Year Project 2
(FYP II) and the content of this report was updated with the progress achieved.
Based on analyzed data from experimental work, highest value of Cp is 0.28 and
highest value of CT is 0. 7 4, both obtained when wind rotor operates in fully bounded
environment (nozzle-diffuser casing).