The Influence Of Rotor Separation On The Performance Of A Dual-Rotor Wind Turbine

Abstract

The influence of rotor separation on the operation of a dual rotor horizontal axis wind turbine was explored utilizing simulation and experimental investigations. A NACA 64-315 air foil was found to be the preferred option after an air analysis was carried out to optimize the blades for Trinidad's particular environment. The simulation was conducted using the QBlade program, and the power flow performance for various wind speed iterations was found for the design. With rotor separations ranging from 0.25 meter to 3 meter at 0.25 meters’ intervals, the effect of rotor separation on the performance of a dual rotor wind turbine was investigated at a fan speed of 1 m/s. The maximum tip speed ratio occurs at the smallest rotor separation distance (0.25 m), whilst the smallest tip speed ratio occurs at the largest rotor separation distance (3 m). The power coefficient (CP) and total power both increase as rotor spacing lowers, contributing to the high energy output of the dual rotor horizontal axis wind turbine.