Wind turbine with biomimetic rotor blades after samara seeds | Sawkat Hossain | Research

Expertise

Aerodynamics
CFD
Wind Energy

Summary

This project is about a new type of biomimetic rotor blades based on samara seeds and aimed to fulfill a PhD dissertation. Mimicking aerodynamic properties of natural samara seeds, our goal is to develop blades for a small-scale wind turbine, applicable in urban areas. This blade would be efficient in terms of energy conversion, having simple design geometry, low functional wind speed, and it would be easy to manufacture. At present, there are still several existing challenges in wind turbine technology, which include power production cost, design and manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements. The goal of the research is to overcome these challenges.

The natural samara seed shows stable autorotation (Lee, 2014) and generates a stable leading edge vortex (LEV) during free fall (Lentink, 2009), and thereby increases the lift force. LEVs near the base of the wings are dependent on the geometry of the wings, the Reynolds number and the angle of attack (AOA) (Lentink, 2009). Although LEVs also generate profile drag (Usherwood & Ellington, 2002), in a small-scale design this constraint is expected to be small.

A patented design of a biomimetic rotor blade exists at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kleve. Preliminary laboratory experiments have shown that the LEVs produced by the natural samara seed and the patented synthetic profile are similar. In both cases, vortices are generated which swirl out from the profile, resulting in high lift force and low drag force.

To meet the goals of the research project, several laboratory experiments and field studies as well as a detailed study about the samara seed and the properties responsible for aerodynamic behavior are necessary. Currently, CFD simulations are in progress in order to design and manufacture a prototype for field experiments. The following questions have to be answered:

How do morphological properties of the biomimetic rotor blade influence the aerodynamic behavior?
How efficient is the biomimetic rotor blade in terms of power generation?
Is the biomimetic blade sustainable for urban areas?
Is it possible to manufacture such biomimetic rotor blades cost effective?
Is it possible to design an appropriate rotor and a control system suitable for biomimetic wind turbines?
Is it possible to develop an optimal concept of a wind park using biomimetic turbines?

This research project is currently financed by the Stiftung Energie Forschung Baden-Württemberg (www.sef-bw.de). This research foundation is a non-profit organization under public law based in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Supervision by

Promotor: Prof. dr. H.A.J. (Harro) Meijer, Centre for Isotope Research | ESRIG, University of Groningen
Co-Promotor: Dr. E.J. (Eize) Stamhuis, Biomimetics | ESRIG, University of Groningen
Daily Supervisor: Prof. dr. ing. J. (Joachim) Gebel, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Germany

More information and contact details can be found on the Personal Profile of Sawkat Hossain.