Numerical and Experimental Analysis of A Vertical-Axis Eccentric-disc Variable-Pitch Turbine(VEVT)

A combined experimental and numerical investigation is carried out to study the performance of a vertical-axis eccentric-disc variable-pitch turbine(VEVT).A scheme of eccentric disc pitch control mechanism based on doubleblock mechanism is proposed.The eccentric control mechanism and the deflection angle control mechanism in the pitch control structure are designed and optimized according to the functional requirements of the turbine,and the three-dimensional model of the turbine is established.Kinematics analysis of the eccentric disc pitch control mechanism is carried out.Kinematics parameters and kinematics equations which can characterize its motion characteristics are derived.Kinematics analysis and simulation are carried out,and the motion law of the corresponding mechanical system is obtained.By analyzing the force and motion of blade of VEVT,the expressions of the important parameters such as deflection angle,attack angle and energy utilization coefficient are obtained.The lateral induced velocity coefficient is acquired by momentum theorem,the hydrodynamic parameters such as energy utilization coefficient are derived,and the hydrodynamic characteristics of VEVT are also obtained.The experimental results show that the turbine has good energy capture capability at different inflow velocities of different sizes and directions,which verifies that VEVT has good self-startup performance and high energy capture efficiency.

Effect of blade pitch angle on aerodynamic performance of straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine

Wind energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources, straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine(S-VAWT) appears to be particularly promising for the shortage of fossil fuel reserves owing to its distinct advantages, but suffers from poor self-starting and low power coefficient. Variable-pitch method was recognized as an attractive solution to performance improvement, thus majority efforts had been devoted into blade pitch angle effect on aerodynamic performance. Taken into account the local flow field of S-VAWT, mathematical model was built to analyze the relationship between power outputs and pitch angle. Numerical simulations on static and dynamic performances of blade were carried out and optimized pitch angle along the rotor were presented. Comparative analyses of fixed pitch and variable-pitch S-VAWT were conducted, and a considerable improvement of the performance was obtained by the optimized blade pitch angle, in particular, a relative increase of the power coefficient by more than 19.3%. It is further demonstrated that the self-starting is greatly improved with the optimized blade pitch angle.

Numerical Simulation on Heat Transfer Enhancement of Phase Change Thermal Storage Devices for Low-middle Temperature

Using Ba（OH）2·8H2O as phase change material（PCM） and water as heat transfer fluid（HTF）,we numerically simulated annular finned-tube heat exchangers.In order to measure and analyze the impact of parameters in the heating/cooling process,temperature changes of different monitoring points,fin widths,and fin pitches as key parameters were considered and applied.The experimental results show that the heat exchange process can be divided into three stages within a certain time.The faster heat transfer rate is associated with the greater temperature difference between PCM and HTF.Furthermore,fins width and pitch affect dramatically the heat charging/discharging rate.The large fins width or small fins pitch is beneficial for extending the heat exchange surface,leading to improve heat transfer efficiency.