CFD Analysis of a Twisted Savonius Turbine

This paper presents Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of a Twisted Savonius rotor. Simulations were performed in a CFD software Flow-3D, using Reynold’s Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANSE) solver with structured rectangular mesh. The proposed rotor has 180° twist with two endplates and no central shaft. Expected performance of the twisted Savonius rotor has been determined, this includes starting characteristics, static torque and rotational speed of the turbine. Simulation results show better performance of twisted Savonius rotor as compared to the other conventional Savonius rotors. Designed twisted rotor will be used in a small seafloor power generation system.