Wind Speed Augmentation Model for Empty Conical Diffusers for Use in Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbines (original) (raw)

Diffusers have been used to augment the wind speed in diffuser augmented wind turbines. However, there is no known method to estimate the wind speed augmentation by these diffusers. This study presents a mathematical model that estimates the wind speed augmentation by empty conical diffusers for use in diffuser augmented wind turbines (DAWT). The model is used by DAWT wind energy systems engineers in optimizing the power output of the DAWT. The model is based on the diffuser length (L), diffuser expansion angle (θ) and the diffuser inlet diameter (D). The model equation and the experimental data are correlated with R 2 = 0.9751 and RMSE = 0.034. It was shown that the diffuser expansion angle (θ), a predictor contributes more to the desired output as compared to the non-dimensional length (L/D) .