A numerical study of the influence of solidity on the performance of vertical axis turbine

Abstract

The paper is developed in the framework of CFD to study the performance of Vertical Axis Turbines (VAT). One direct application is to establish design trends regarding the solidity. The model is validated with benchmarks from the literature for fluvial turbine. As for turbulence models, transitional SST version of k-w is used. The model includes two additional conservation equations for intermittency and critical Reynolds that establishes the transition from laminar to turbulent. Flow pattern are analyzed at intermediate positions along the revolution. A reduction in solidity increases the operation conditions.