Simulation and Optimization of Ducted Wind Turbines using the Response Surface Methodology and Analytical Hierarchical Process

The presented study evaluates and optimizes the effect of design parameters on available power for ducted wind turbines. The impact of the different design conditions on the available capacity and performance of ducted wind turbine analyzed. The wall of the duct was simulated by using the theory of designing the wind tunnels; CATIA V5 and ANSYS CFX software were used to model and analysis of the duct, respectively. For the optimization of the process, variable conditions were analyzed by two methods of analytical hierarchy process and response surface methodology to select the best state of the design. Analytical hierarchy process used to match the best design condition to found maximum available power in ducted wind turbine while RSM can analyze the effect of each parameter on response. The presented results by two methods were shown in the same condition for optimized design parameters. The calculated design data were fitted to an equation using multiple regressions and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The maximum available power is achieved by the throat diameter of 0.16, the length ratio of 1.5, and the concentration ratio of 2. The AHP analysis method with less than 0.1 compatibilities and RSM with 0.99 value for R-square was used as a reliable method for selecting the best performance condition of the duct with better performance at the same time RSM can represent better analysis for design parameters.