Experimental Analysis on a Model of a Small Ducted Wind Turbine Equipped with Passive Flow Control Devices

Over time, several innovative solutions have been researched to increase the power supplied by a unit, in areas with low energy potential. These solutions consisted in the use of a casing with energy effect concentrator. An experimental method to investigate the operating parameters on a model of a small ducted wind turbine equipped with passive flow control devices is presented in the present work. The experimental investigations aimed to determine the performance obtained for the ducted rotor wind turbine when is, coherently, compared with the same turbine, but with bare rotor. All the experimental campaigns were performed in controlled laboratory conditions, simulated in a boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT). The results achieved by using small ducted horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) equipped with passive flow control devices (PFCD), will bring an important contribution for an energy production technology. This technology may be applicable to urban environment or in areas where the potential energy is low.