CFD Analysis of Wind Turbine with Different Flange Angles

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of circular diffuser with flange is carried in present analysis using ANSYS CFD tool. A wind turbine with circular diffuser and flange attached over the periphery of the diffuser is simulated for various flange angle range of 0°–25°. Provision of diffuser has demonstrated significant augmentation in power and speed of the turbine. The study also shows that the variation of flange angle creates strong vortices behind the flange, resulting in sudden decrease in static pressure in the exit of the diffuser. This will increase the velocity through entrance of the wind turbine and is responsible for power augmentation in the wind turbine. Contour plots show an increase in velocity up to optimum flange angle of 15°, and then it decreases gradually afterwards. The results obtained in the present analysis are in good agreement with the previous published experimental work.