Design of an Optimized Inlet Shroud for a Flanged Diffuser

Abstract

Numerical simulation using commercial CFD package ANSYS Fluent ® is carried out for a horizontal axis wind turbine with a flanged diffuser. An optimized inlet shape that further accelerates the flow through the diffuser has been proposed and evaluated. The principle behind the increase in mass flow rate due to the shape of the inlet shroud has been discussed, with emphasis on the modelling techniques presented. The low static pressure aft of the flange at the exit periphery induces a greater mass flow through the diffuser, thereby resulting in a higher capacity factor of the enclosed wind turbine. A comparison between different inlet shroud configurations has also been presented.