City Research Online

Abstract

Ducted wind turbines for residential purposes are characterized by a lower diameter with respect to conventional wind turbines for on-shore applications. The noise generated by the rotor plays a significant role in the overall aerodynamic noise. By making modifications to the blade sections of the wind turbine, we can alter the contributions of aeroacoustic noise sources. This study introduces innovative wind turbine blade designs inspired by owl wing characteristics, achieving significant noise reduction without compromising aerodynamic performance. A three-dimensional scan of an owl wing was first employed to derive a family of airfoils. The airfoils were employed to modify the blade of a referenced wind turbine airfoil section at various positions on the blade span to determine a blade operating more efficiently at the tip-speed ratio of the original one. While maintaining the same aerodynamic performance, the bio-inspired profiles show a more uniform pressure coefficient distribution, considerably decreasing in the noise level. Furthermore, this study makes considerable progress in ducted wind turbine design by obtaining an 8 dB noise reduction and a 12% improvement in sound pressure level. An in-depth aerodynamic examination shows a 6.4% rise in thrust force coefficient and optimized power coefficients, reaching a peak at a tip speed ratio of 8, demonstrating improved energy conversion efficiency. The results highlight the dual advantage of the innovative design: significant noise reduction and enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, offering a promising alternative for urban wind generation.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in Mozafari, M. , Sadeghimalekabadi, M. , Fardi, A. , Bruecker, C. & Masdari, M. (2024). Aeroacoustic investigation of a ducted wind turbine employing bio-inspired airfoil profiles. Physics of Fluids, 36(4), article number 041918 and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0204050
Publisher Keywords:	Ducted Wind Turbine, Aeroacoustics, Barn Owl, Large Eddy Simulation.
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Departments:	School of Science & Technology School of Science & Technology > Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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