Four Decades of Research Into The Augmentation Techniques of Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor

Journal of Energy Resources Technology.
Received November 05, 2017;

Accepted manuscript posted December 19, 2017. doi:10.1115/1.4038785
Copyright (c) 2017 by ASME
Four Decades of Research into the Augmentation Techniques of
Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor
Nur Alom
Trainee Teacher
d
ite
Department of Mechanical Engineering
ed
National Institute of Technology Meghalaya
py
Shillong – 793003, India
Co
E-mail: nuralomme19@gmail.com
Ujjwal K. Saha
ot
tN
Professor
rip
Department of Mechanical Engineering

sc
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Guwahati- 781039, India

nu
E-mail: saha@iitg.ernet.in
Ma
ed
Abstract
pt
The design and development of wind turbines is increasing throughout the world to offer
ce
electricity without paying much to the global warming. The Savonius wind turbine rotor, or
Ac
simply the Savonius rotor, is a drag-based device that has a relatively low efficiency. A high
negative torque produced by the returning blade is a major drawback of this rotor. Despite
having a low efficiency, its design simplicity, low cost, easy installation, good starting ability,
relatively low operating speed and independency to wind direction are its main rewards. With
the goal of improving its power coefficient (CP), a considerable amount of investigation has
JERT-17-1620 Alom 1
Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received November 05, 2017;
been reported in the past few decades where various design modifications are made by
altering the influencing parameters. Concurrently, various augmentation techniques have also
been used to improve the rotor performance. Such augmenters reduce the negative torque and
improve the self-starting capability while maintaining a high rotational speed of the rotor.
The CP of the conventional Savonius rotors lie in the range of 0.12-0.18, however, with the
d
use of augmenters, it can reach up to 0.52 with added design complexity. This article attempts
ite
to give an overview of the various augmentation techniques used in Savonius rotor over the
ed
last four decades. Some of the key findings with the use of these techniques have been
py
addressed and makes an attempt to highlight the future direction of research.
Co
Keywords: Savonius rotor, blade profiles, augmentation techniques, torque coefficient, power
coefficient, tip-speed ratio.

ot
tN
1. Introduction
r ip
The Savonius rotor is a sort of vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). A conventional turbine
sc
rotor, mounted on a rotating shaft or framework, consists of several semicircular blades. The
nu
rotor system may either be ground stationed or fastened in a floating system. The Savonius
Ma
rotor, invented by the Finnish engineer Sigurd Johannes Savonius in 1925 [1, 2], is one of the
ed
simplest type of wind turbine. Aerodynamically, it is a drag based device, and consists of two
or three scoops (also known as buckets or blades). The top view of a 2-bladed rotor looks like
pt
an ‘S’ shape in cross section [3-4]. The rotor blades experience less drag when moving
ce
against the wind than when it moves with the wind due to their curved shape. The differential
Ac
drag force makes the rotor to spin. Since the Savonius rotor is a drag-based machine, it
extracts lesser wind energy than a similarly sized lift-based devices like Darrieus rotor and
horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) [5]. The HAWTs are actually acknowledged for their
reasonably higher CP than the Savonius VAWTs, and fundamentally have been used for power
JERT-17-1620 Alom 2

generation [6]. However, the Savonius VAWTs have various important rewards than the
HAWTs owing to their lesser fixing and preservation costs, and the direction independency
[7-12]. Additionally, these rotors also do not need a yaw control mechanism and over speed
controller [13]. These benefits make them attractive and appropriate for many applications.
But the main disadvantage of the Savonius rotor is that it produces negative torque in some
d
rotational cycle of the rotor, and as a result, the net positive torque of the rotor gets reduced
ite
[14-17]. To improve its performance, various blade profiles such as semicircular [18-22],
ed
Bach [23], Benesh [24], twisted [25], elliptical [23, 26-27], fish-ridged rotor [28], modified
py
Bach type [14], Bronzinus [29], airfoil shape blade [30], multiple quarter [31], multiple
Co
miniature semicircular [32], and spline [33] have been evolved. Besides using these blade
ot
profiles, the various augmentation techniques have also been used to decrease the negative
tN
torque produced by the rotor. Several such techniques find their applications, notable among
them are V-shape wedge deflector, curtains, concentrated and oriented jets, multi-staging,
ip
nozzle, venting slot, deflecting plate, guide vane and others [4, 8-11, 14-16].
r
sc
1.1 Aim of the present study

nu
Since its inception, several wind tunnel experiments have been carried and are being
Ma
conducted to estimate the performance characteristics of Savonius rotor. The main objectives
ed
in these studies have been to optimize the various parameters of the rotor for attaining
pt
suitable design configurations. It is only during the last few decades that the investigators
ce
have started following numerical studies with various numerical methods, optimization
Ac
techniques [34] and soft-computing techniques to arrive at the same objectives. Though the
experimental researches have exposed more precise findings, however, the numerical
researches have provided the liberty to conduct an extensive study with reduced experimental
intimidations and costs. Recently, Akwa et al. [17] and Roy and Saha [18] have provided a
complete knowledge and beneficial evidence on the various aspects of Savonius rotors. Till
JERT-17-1620 Alom 3

date, various turbulence models and soft-computing techniques have been used by various
researchers to improve the efficiency of the rotor. As stated previously, various blade profiles
have been developed, and at the same time, various augmentation techniques have also been
employed to improve the all-round performance of the rotor. Uniting the past experimental
and numerical investigations, this review work tries to make an analysis on the various
d
augmentation techniques applied [35-47] and makes recommendation of the future studies.
ite
ed
1.2 Evolution of Savonius blade profiles
py
To improve the performance of Savonius rotors, few noticeable investigations are found on
Co
the use of dissimilar category of blade shapes such as conventional semicircular, Bach,
Benesh, twisted, elliptical, fish-ridged rotor, modified Bach, Bronzinus, airfoil shape blade,
ot
multiple quarter, multiple miniature semicircular and spline. All these blade profiles are
tN
illustrated in Fig.1. The performance indices of these blade profiles are shown in Table 1.
ip
Rudimentary investigation with an elliptical profile has demonstrated its energy capturing
r
sc
potential, hence, an improved CP than the conventional rotor [23]. In a separate numerical
nu
study, an elliptical profile of different design has shown a performance improvement of

Ma
10.7% over the semicircular profile [26]. At a later stage, Alom et al. [27] optimized the
elliptical profile numerically and found a performance gain of 18.18% than the semicircular-
ed
bladed Savonius rotor. Thus, it clear that the elliptical-bladed rotor can be a strong contender
pt
in the future designs of Savonius rotor.

ce
1.3 Geometric parameters

Ac
Despite having a low efficiency, the Savonius rotor has become popular for its good starting
ability, design simplicity, and low cost. However, its performance can be improved by
optimizing the basic parameters like aspect ratio, overlap ratio, gap ratio, Reynolds number,
and number rotor blades [25]. The aspect ratio (AR =H/D) of the rotor is defined as the ratio
JERT-17-1620 Alom 4

of rotor height (H) to the overall diameter of the rotor (D). This is illustrated in Fig. 2.
Because of the consequence of blade tips, the Savonius rotors have low losses at high ARs
[15]. A small rotor diameter always causes a fast diverging of airflow. When the diameter of
the rotor increases, the produced torque also increases, whereas the rotational speed of the
rotor decreases, and vice versa [17, 18]. The overlap ratio ( = e/d) is defined as the ratio of
d
ite
overlap distance between the two blades (e) to the chord length of the blade (d). A rotor with
an overlapping proves to have a better starting characteristic than the one without
ed
overlapping. This is mainly caused by the improved pressure on the concave part of the
py
returning blade due to the flow through the overlap distance [17, 18]. The gap ratio (εs = e/s)
Co
of the rotor is defined as the ratio of separation gap between the rotor blades (s) to the chord
ot
length of the blade (d). When the spacing between the blades are large, the wind does not
tN
strike properly on the concave side of returning blade, thereby reducing the net power of rotor
[17]. By keeping a proper gap ratio, the torque coefficient of the rotor can be enhanced as
r ip
much as by 25%. An end plate as shown in Fig. 2 is the simplest attachment that can be
sc
added to improve its performance. The plates at the rotor tops avoid the escape of wind from
nu
the concave side of the rotor blades, keeping the pressure difference between concave and
Ma
convex side of the buckets at satisfactory levels over the height of the rotor [15]. The
Reynolds number is the most important non-dimensional parameter for defining the flow
ed
characteristics of fluid flow conditions. It is reported that when the Reynolds number
pt
increases, the separation of boundary layer takes place on the lower side of returning blade of
ce
the rotor. This reduces the drag force on the returning blade considerably, and on the other
Ac
hand, the lift force augments the power of the rotor when the rotor angles are oriented at 0⁰ or
180⁰ [17, 18].
JERT-17-1620 Alom 5

1.4 Performance parameters
The performance of the Savonius rotor is estimated from the power and torque coefficients
[11, 15, 33, 48-49]. The power coefficient (CP) of the Savonius rotor is defined as the ratio of
the power generated by the rotor to the available wind power and is given by
d
Pturbine T  s 2 NT
Cp   
ite
Pavailable 1  AV 3 60  1  AV 3 (1)
2 2
ed
The CP is usually estimated from field or wind tunnel tests, and with the help of numerical
py
techniques that solve the conservation equations of the wind flow [7, 35]. It has been proved
Co
that a turbine can have the maximum possible CP of 59.3%. This limit is termed as the Betz
Limit.
ot
tN
The torque coefficient (CT) is defined as the ratio of the actual torque produecd by the turbine
ip
(Tturbine) to the theoretical torque available in the wind (Tavailable) and can be expressed by
r
sc
Tturbine Tturbine F  rp
CT   
nu
Tavaialble 1  AV 2 R 1  AV 2 R (2)
2 2
Ma
Under static condition, the net rotor torque is termed as static torque which is mostly
ed
responsible for the starting capability of the rotor. However, at rotating condition, the net
pt
rotor torque is termed as dynamic torque and is mostly responsible for its power converting
ce
capability [18]. The high static torque coefficient of the Savonius rotor plays a crucial role in
Ac
improving the starting capability of vertical-axis Darrieus rotor [18, 50, 51].
The tip speed ratio (TSR), a significant dimensionless parameter for relating the performance
of a Savonius rotor, is defined as the ratio of rotor tip speed (u) to the free stream wind speed
(V) [52]. It is important to find the optimum TSR to get the maximum power output of the
JERT-17-1620 Alom 6

rotor. It is found that with the addition of load, the revolving speed of the rotor decreases, and
therefore, with the increase of TSR, the CT decreases. However, the performance is optimum
at the intermediate range of TSR [26].
1.5 Aerodynamic parameters – Drag and lift
d
ite
The drag force (D) is usually defined as the force parallel to the direction of the incoming
ed
airflow; whereas the lift force (L) is defined as the force perpendicular to the direction of
incoming airflow [53] and is a consequence of pressure differential spreading between the
py
upper and lower blade surfaces (Fig. 3). Based on the rotor blade design, the VAWTs are
Co
classified into lift- and drag-type devices. Savonius and Sistan rotors are drag-based VAWTs;
ot
whereas H- and Darriues rotors, composed of airfoil shaped blades, are lift-based VAWTs. In
tN
the lift-based turbines, the pressure differential between the blade surfaces creates the
ip
aerodynamic lift that causes the turbine to rotate. In comparison to the lift-based VAWTs, the
r
drag-based VAWTs have shown better self-starting capabilities, however, their efficiencies are
sc
found to be lower [17, 18]. Moreover, their vertical rotational axis allows them to be
nu
installed in multiple configurations in a restricted place. These turbines equipped with an

Ma
energy storage system can be used at the top of buildings or communication towers or at the
hilly locations for decentralized small-scale electricity generation [5]. The windmills and
ed
pumping devices, in general, have low-speed drag-based rotors, though the recent rotors for
pt
electricity generation are of high-speed lift-type. When the swept area is same, the power
ce
extracted by a lift-based rotor is generally greater than the power extracted from a drag-based
Ac
rotor. However, for electricity generation, it becomes essential that the generator driving shaft
works at a significant speed (1000 or 1500 rpm). This together with the much higher
aerodynamic efficiency of lift-based rotor indicates that the drag-based rotors are not favored
for electricity production [54].
JERT-17-1620 Alom 7

2. Augmentation techniques
The Betz limit shows the maximum productivity of a wind turbine to be 59.3%, however, this
limit can be exceeded by an augmentation system. An augmenter concentrates the wind flow
and increases the mass flow through its area [16]. Since the power generated by a wind
d
turbine is proportional to the cube of the incoming wind speed, a slight increase in the
ite
incoming wind speed can significantly improve the turbine performance. The wind pressure
ed
exerted to the concave part of the returning blade of a Savonius rotor produces a high
py
negative torque and this drops its total power. By means of an augmenter, the negative drag
Co
of the rotor is decreased by avoiding the air from striking the returning blade of the rotor. The
starting capability of the Savonius rotor is improved with the aid of these techniques.
ot
Hitherto, several augmentation techniques like V-shaped deflector, nozzle, multi-staging,
tN
twisted blades, valve, curtain plates, windshields, obstacle shield, venting slot, flat plate
ip
shield, concentrator, flaps and guide vanes and others (Fig. 4) have been used to improve the
r
sc
C P.
nu
It was sometime around 1978 that Alexander and Holownia [46] used a combination of flat
Ma
and a circular shields (Fig.4a) and reported a maximum CP of 0.243. Morcos et. al. [55] also
used a wind shields in front of the rotor and reported a maximum CP of 0.34 (Fig. 4b). Ogawa
ed
et al. [56] and Huda et al. [57] also used the deflector plate (Fig.4c) and reported a maximum
pt
CP of 0.212 and 0.21, respectively. When multiple flaps are used in a rotor blade instead of
ce
one without the flaps, the negative drag of the rotor is reduced [58] (Fig. 4d). The use of V-
Ac
shaped wedge deflector (Fig. 4e) at the upstream of the rotor harnessed about 19.7% more
power than a standard rotor without a deflector [21]. Shikha et al.[8] used a convergent
nozzle (Fig. 4f) at the front of advancing blade of a 6-bladed Savonius rotor to enhance the
power extraction at low wind speeds. The use of two-stage rotor (Fig. 4g) developed an
JERT-17-1620 Alom 8

improved torque and power coefficients in comparison to a single-stage rotor [59]. Twisted
bladed (Fig. 4h) rotor has proved to have a better self-starting capacity than the semicircular
bladed rotor [25]. Again, the use of valves (Fig. 4i) in semicircular blades reduces the
negative torque on the rotor [60]. Circular windshield (Fig. 4j) has been also employed to
reduce the wind pressure that exerts on the returning (or driven) blade of the rotor [61]. The
d
use of curtain plate (Fig. 4k) at the rotor front allows a maximum amount of wind to impinge
ite
on the advancing blade thereby reducing the negative torque [10]. It is reported that the use of
ed
obstacle shield (Fig. 4l) at the front of returning blade improves the rotor performance up to
py
30% [9]. Golecha et al. [62] used a deflector plate (Fig. 4m) in front of the advancing blade
Co
and reported a 50% increase in performance than the semicircular bladed rotor. It was also
ot
reported that with the use of shield (Fig. 4n) in a 6-bladed Savonius rotor, the CP could reach
tN
upto 0.52 [37]. Abraham et al. [11] studied the effect of venting (Fig. 4o) on a Savonius rotor
both experimentally and numerically to reduce drag on the returning blade. Roy et al. [14]
ip
employed concentrators (Fig. 4p) in the rotor front and reported a maximum CP of 0.32.
r
sc
Guide vane (Fig. 4q) also improves the performance of the rotor [15]. The conveyor-deflector
nu
curtain (Fig. 4r) in a conventional Savonius rotor improved the CP up to 0.30 [30]. The
Ma
summary of various augmentation techniques employed till date with their corresponding
Cpmax is shown in Table 2 in a chronological manner. These techniques are discussed briefly
ed
in the following section.

pt
ce
2.1 Wind shields

Ac
The obstacle shields are usually installed ahead of the returning blade of the rotor. This may
be of flat or circular type or both to decrease the active pressure on it. Alexander and
Holownia [46] performed experiments in a low-speed wind tunnel and found a performance
improvement 74% with a shielded Savonius rotor of high AR (Fig. 4a). Morcos et. al. [55]
also used similar type of shields to cover the returning blade of the rotor and reported a
JERT-17-1620 Alom 9

maximum CP of 0.34 (Fig. 4b). Hu et al. [61] carried out a numerical simulation using RNG
k-ε turbulence model around a conventional Savonius rotor with a circular shield. The
simulation was carried out for different inclination angle, β = -90ᵒ, -45ᵒ, 0ᵒ, 15ᵒ, 30ᵒ, 45ᵒ and
60ᵒ to optimize β (Fig. 4j), and found an improvement of 107% at β = 30ᵒ. Similarly,
Mohamed et al. [9, 63] used the obstacle shield (Fig. 4l) in front of the returning blade to
d
reduce the negative torque of the rotor. It was reported that optimally placed (β = 100.83ᵒ)
ite
obstacle shield improves the CP by 27.3% for the 2-bladed system at TSR= 0.7 (Fig. 5).
ed
py
2.2 Deflector plates
Co
Usually, the deflecting plate is placed in front of the returning blade (Fig. 4c) to reduce the
reverse force acting on it [56, 57, 62]. In this regard, Ogawa et al. [47, 56] carried out several
ot
wind tunnel experiments with a rotor set at =0.20, and by varying the deflector angle (β) in
tN
the range 0-75ᵒ. They found the CP to improve by 27% at β = 30ᵒ (Fig. 6). Interestingly, in the
ip
recent past, the deflector plates have also been used in water turbine applications where
r
sc
Golecha et al. [62] performed experiments with a modified Savonius rotor in an open water
nu
channel at a Reynolds number of 1.32 x 105. Eight various location of the plate was used by
Ma
varying the geometric parameters viz., X1, X2, and Y1, and by fixing Y2 at 145 mm (Fig. 4m);
whereas X1, X2, and Y1 are varied in the range of 135–230 mm, 135–230 mm and 0–108 mm,
ed
respectively. Thus, the deflector plate angle (β) is influenced by these parameters. The least
pt
value is selected such that the plate does not block the end plates of the turbine during
ce
rotation. It was reported that the deflector plate located at the optimum location (X1=152 mm
Ac
X2 =135 mm, Y1= 55 mm and β = 101ᵒ) improved the CP up to 50% at TSR= 0.82.
2.3 Slatted blades
In 1991, Reupke and Probert [58] proposed the practice of multiple flaps instead of using a
continuous rotor blade (Fig. 4d). These flaps are open when moving into the wind, thus
JERT-17-1620 Alom 10

reducing the negative drag force on the rotor blades. The flaps are hinged in place of the
curved parts of the blades to augment its harnessing effectiveness. The flaps open
automatically when the rotor advance towards the wind thereby exerting more wind pressure
on the advancing blade. Due to this, the static torque of the rotor is enhanced significantly.
The investigation has been made with sixteen-hinged and thirty-two-hinged flaps in a 2-
d
bladed rotor system. This rotor system demonstrated a better static torque than the
ite
conventional Savonius rotor; however, its performance was found inferior. The efficiency of
ed
the flapped system (modified Savonius) was found to be 5% as compared to the efficiency of
py
18% of a conventional system (Fig. 7). The modified system, thus, was found unacceptable
Co
for harnessing power. Tabassum and Probert [64] has used four hinged flaps in a Bach type
ot
rotor and found an improvement of 35% in the static torque in comparison to the original
tN
rotor of similar geometry under identical wind speed of 6.67 m/s (Fig. 8). The torque
produced in the complete rotation is found to be positive, which is not the case with the
ip
semicircular-bladed rotor without flaps. This reduced the amplitude of oscillation in the
r
sc
average torque produced during the complete rotation of the turbine.

nu
2.4 V-shaped deflectors

Ma
In practice, the V- shaped deflector is placed in front of the Savonius rotor (Fig.4e), so that
ed
the wind flow resistance is encountered by the returning blade of the rotor. A series of wind
pt
tunnel experiments have been carried out by varying the deflector wedge semi-angle between
ce
5-45ᵒ. With the optimally inclined deflector, the rotor extracts about 20% more power than
Ac
the conventional Savonius rotor (Fig. 9). Such an important enhancement, achieved by a
simple design, recommends that the practice of partly blocked wedges is extremely suitable.
When the deflector plate is placed in the optimal location with wedge semi-angle of 37ᵒ, the
rotor operates over a wider range of TSR [21].

2.5 Nozzles
The application of nozzle is another idea to magnify the wind velocity before it encounters
the blades of a Savonius rotor [8]. When a convergent nozzle (Fig. 4f) is employed, the
negative torque of the rotor is reduced and the effective wind speed is augmented. Wind
tunnel experiments with five nozzle models are conducted for 2-, 4- and 6-bladed
d
ite
conventional Savonius rotor having overlap ratios of 1/3 and 1/6. The wind velocity at the
ed
nozzle inlet is varied from V1 = 0.6 to 0.9 m/s to amplify the outlet velocity to V2 = 3 to 3.5
m/s when the length of the nozzle is 55 cm. When the nozzle length is increased to 80 cm, the
py
inlet velocities are varied from V1 = 0.6 to 0.8 m/s to obtain outlet velocities from V2 = 2 to
Co
2.9 m/s. The 6-bladed Savonius rotor is found to enhance the power extraction at low wind
speed under the application of convergent nozzle at the rotor front.

ot
tN
2.6 Multi-staging
ip
The conventional Savonius rotor mainly has two disadvantages on torque characteristics.
r
sc
Firstly, it has a large fluctuation of torque at some initial rotation of the turbine, and secondly,
nu
it has some angular positions where the torque becomes negative or even very small thereby
Ma
reducing the rotor performance. As a result, the starting torque of a conventional Savonius
rotor would be so low that the rotor cannot start on its own. Hence, to improve its static
ed
torque characteristics, staging of rotor (Fig. 4g) has been done [4, 43, 57, 59, 65]. As the
pt
staging of rotor is increased from 1 to 2, the CP becomes higher; but when the number of
ce
staging is increased from 2 to 3, the CP reduces due to the increased inertia of the rotor. Wind
Ac
tunnel experiments demonstrates the optimal number of staging of the rotor to be 2 [65]. The
CP for 2- and 3-stages conventional rotor is found to be 0.29 and 0.23, respectively [65]. This
is accomplished by setting the phase lift at an angle 90ᵒ to each other for the 2-stage, and at
120ᵒ for the 3-stage rotor, as shown in (Fig. 10). These arrangements increase the starting

capability of the rotor. Hayashi et al. [4] noticed that a lower peak CP of a 3-stage rotor in
comparison to its corresponding single-stage rotor. Staging results in the reduction of AR of
the individual stages of a 3-stage rotor as compared to that of a single-stage design. The 3-
stage rotors are better at low wind speeds as they have the uniform coefficient of static
torque. Experimentally it has been reported that the multi-staging has shown a reduction of
d
power and dynamic torque for the same rotor. Thus, the multi-staging of rotors seems to
ite
provide a better starting ability at low speeds with some reduction in performance [66].
ed
py
2.7 Twisted blades
Co
The twisted bladed rotor (Fig. 4h) is used in order to reduce the negative torque and to
ot
improve the self-starting characteristics of a single-stage Savonius rotor system [6, 25, 60,
tN
65-67]. Wind tunnel experiments are carried out for twisted bladed rotor at a fixed twist angle
ip
10.28ᵒ and varying the gap width (i.e., separation gap) from S = 14 to 67 mm [25]. The
r
aerodynamic performance of these blades has been evaluated based on starting torque, power
sc
output and the rotational speed at various twist angles and gap widths. Later experimental
nu
investigation with a twisted-bladed rotor (twist angle is 12.5ᵒ) shows a CP of 0.19 as opposed
Ma
to Cp of 0.18 for the conventional Savonius rotor [60, 65]. Kamoji et al. [66] investigated a
twisted-bladed rotor with a twist angle of 90ᵒ in a low-speed wind tunnel. The experiments
ed
were conducted by varying  from 0.0 to 0.16 and the AR from 0.88 to 1.2. The maximum CP
pt
of the twisted bladed rotor (AR=0.88) was found to be 0.179 at = 0.0 when the Reynolds
ce
number was 1.5 x105. Experimental investigation demonstrated a higher potential of the
Ac
twisted bladed rotor in terms of smooth running, higher CP and self-starting capability than
that of the semicircular-bladed rotor (Fig. 11).
2.8 Valves

This new concept (Fig. 4i) has been incorporated in a twisted bladed Savonius rotor and is
named as the Valve-Aided Twisted Savonius (VATS) rotor [60, 65]. The rotor with valves has
been tested in a low-speed wind tunnel to calculate its performance. The mechanism is found
to be independent of wind directions, and shows suitable for large machines. When the blade
advances towards the wind, the valve opens automatically due to the wind pressure and hence
d
experiences a lower flow resistance. The valve gets closed automatically by the centrifugal
ite
force during the power-harnessing part of the cycle. This technique significantly improves the
ed
static torque of the rotor. Keeping the simplicity of the rotor intact, the VATS rotor can
py
increase the power coefficient. VATS mechanism also helps to make direction independence
Co
of the rotor. In addition to this, damage to the rotor at high speed can be reduced. In the
ot
mechanism of VATS, a small deflecting plate is hinged on the concave side of the rotor blade
tN
in front of a hole. When the wind is on the concave side, this deflecting plate is enforced to
cover the hole. But when this blade returns with its convex side to the wind, the hole is
ip
uncovered, allowing more air to flow. As a result, it reduces the drag on the returning blade
r
sc
and increases the performance without significantly disturbing the simplicity of the rotor. It is
nu
found that when the blade is oriented at α = 0° (Fig. 4i), the valve is aligned with the wind
Ma
and is thus oriented at α =0° in the coordinate system with the valve surface coinciding with
the wind flow direction. Again, when the rotor is at α = 90°, the valve is perpendicular to the
ed
flow giving a maximum drag force. The orientation of α = 180° is similar to the orientation of
pt
α = 0°. The centrifugal force is self-regulating of orientation, and it is a function of the mass
ce
of the valve, its radius of rotation and the angular velocity. Properly aligned valves with
Ac
minimum frictional losses would improve the performance of VATS mechanism. Saha et al.
[65] also used valves in twisted as well as in semicircular bladed rotors. The 2-stage 3-bladed
Savonius rotor with valves has demonstrated higher CP than the rotor without valves (Fig.
12).

2.9 Guide box
About a decade ago, Irabu and Roy [68] used the guide box tunnel augmentation technique to
improve the output power and to prevent the rotor from a wind disaster. The guide box tunnel
is a passage in which the test rotor is involved. In order to adjust the input power, the area
ratio between the inlet and outlet is varied from 0.3 to 0.7 [68]. Various experiments were
d
ite
conducted at Reynolds number of 6.05 x104 and 9.08 x 104 to obtain the adequate
ed
configuration that would provide the maximum CP. It was found that the maximum CP with
guide box of the area ratio 0.43 was increased by 1.5 times in 3-bladed system, and 1.23
py
times in the 2-bladed system. Further, with the use of guide box tunnel there was no negative
Co
torque in the complete rotation of the rotor when the guide box entrance opening angle was in
between 60ᵒ to 90ᵒ.

ot
tN
2.10 Curtain plates

ip
Altan and Atilgan [10, 69] used a novel arrangement of curtains at the rotor front with the
r
sc
intention of improving its performance by preventing the negative torque that opposes the
nu
rotor rotation. Experiments with three different curtains, oriented at varying inclinations (Fig.
Ma
4k) were carried out in a low-speed wind tunnel with  =0.15 and the gap distance of 2.6 cm.
The highest rotor power has been found from curtain 1 (α = 45ᵒ and β = 15ᵒ) at around 8 W.
ed
There was 16% improvement of performance in case of curtain 1 as compared to curtainless

pt
rotor (Fig. 13).

ce
Ac
2.11 Shield
Sometime during 2011, Emmanuel and Jun [37] used a different type of shield arrangement
(Fig. 4l) in a six-bladed Savonius rotors. This arrangement is slightly different from the types
used by Alexander and Holownia [46], Morcos et al. [55] and Hue et al. [61]. The goal of the
investigators [37] was to suppress the pressure exerted on the convex part of the rotor. In this

connection, various configurations of the six-bladed rotor have been examined using 2D
unsteady simulation with RNG k-ε turbulence model. In the study, the six-bladed rotor
without shield is found to have lower efficiency but still higher than a conventional two-
bladed Savonius rotor. The six-bladed rotor with shields and with stator have indicated
maximum CP of around 0.4 and 0.5, respectively, however this occurs at dissimilar TSRs
d
(Fig.14).
ite
ed
2.12 Venting slots
py
Abraham et al. [11] and Plourde et al. [70] have used venting slots which is found more
Co
effective and simpler in design than the valves used by the past investigators [65, 70]. The
rotors have been tested without and with venting slots to minimize the thrust loading on the
ot
returning blade. Wind tunnel experimentations are carried out to determine the power vs. load
tN
parameterized with various wind speeds. At each wind speed, the generator is connected to a
ip
resistive load that could be effortlessly varied. The load resistances have been varied from 20
r
sc
Ω to approximately 1000 Ω to determine the resulting power curve (Fig.15). They have
nu
observed a very weak dependence on electrical load for the unvented and uncapped case,
Ma
however, the performance is found strongly linked to the electrical system for the capped and
vented case. This suggests that the electrical system should be designed appropriately while
ed
linking to the rotor.

pt
ce
Inspired by the work of Abraham et al. [11] and Plourde et al. [70], Alom and Saha [71] used
Ac
the venting slots on a two-bladed semicircular Savonius rotor. In order to arrive at the
optimum position of the venting slots, three different configurations are designed and tested
numerically (Fig. 16). The 2D unsteady simulation is carried out using SST k-ω turbulence
model at  = 0.20. Among the configurations studied, Design-II at TSR = 0.80 has shown a
maximum CP of 0.292 (Fig. 17). There is an improvement of 7.53% with this design over the

semicircular profile. In Design-II, the magnitude of velocity on the concave side of returning
bucket is found more in comparison to the semicircular profile (Figure 18). Thus, it is clear
from this numerical investigation that the venting slots, as demonstrated in Fig. 16b, can be
used in an advanced blade profile (such as the recent elliptical type) to bring more
effectiveness into the rotor design.
d
ite
2.13 Concentrators
ed
Roy et al. [14] have studied and investigated the performance and starting characteristics of
py
Savonius rotor employing concentrators (Fig. 19), a technique similar to those of nozzle (Fig.
Co
4f) and curtain plates (Fig. 4k). This augmenter is used so that the major portion of the wind
is incident on the concave side of the rotor. The experiments are conducted in a low speed
ot
wind tunnel at the wind velocity of 6.2 m/s, where loads are applied progressively with
tN
respected to the corresponding rotational speeds. With the augmenters placed α = 40°, and β
ip
=10°, the rotor obtains a peak CP of 0.32, a value competitive to that of a lift-type turbine.
r
sc
This shows an overall performance improvement of 47.5% as compared to a semicircular-

nu
bladed Savonius rotor without concentrators (Fig. 20).

Ma
2.14 Guide vane
The main idea of using guide vane in Savonius rotor is to improve the wind harvesting
ed
capacity of incoming air at the cost of structural complexity. Three designs, as illustrated in
pt
Fig. 21, have been investigated by El-Askary et al. [15]. The purpose is to minimize the
ce
negative torque and increase the exerted positive torque by guiding the incoming air
Ac
effectively and smoothly. In this context, the Design-III is found to give an adequate
developing length and reduced entrance effect. Numerical analysis using FVM solver Ansys
Fluent with SST k-ω turbulence model is carried out for each of the design. As seen from Fig.
22, the Design-III shows a peak CP of 0.52 at TSR = 2.2. The novel designs needs more

special treatments from the point of noise generation as they produced robust vortex shedding
and large eddies behind and around the rotors.
3. Wind tunnel tests at a glance
Wind tunnel experiments of model turbines represent an inexpensive and effective way for
d
examining the wind turbine aerodynamics saving expenses, time, and uncertainties related to
ite
full-scale experimentation. As evident from the present review work, wind tunnels (both open
ed
and closed-circuit types) have been used extensively to evaluate the performance
py
characteristics of augmented Savonius rotors. Tests have been carried out by employing
Co
multi-staging, venting slots, oriented jet, wind shields, deflector plates, valves either in front
of the returning blade or inbuilt into the rotor blades. The summary of these tests in
ot
augmented rotors is shown in Table 3.
tN
ip
4. Numerical studies at a glance

r
sc
The flow field around a Savonius rotor is time dependent in nature; and flow separation and
nu
vortex formation are common phenomena. Therefore, the complex unsteady flow
Ma
characteristics around the rotor is often impossible to explore over the classical aerodynamic
tools such as blade element theory. Several numerical techniques such as FVM, finite
ed
difference method (FDM) and finite element method (FEM) have been used for discretizing
pt
the governing equations around the rotor, however, the FVM is preferred due to complex
ce
numerical geometry. On the other hand, FVM based commercial codes (e.g., ANSYS Fluent,
Ac
CFX, Star CCM+) have shown an outstanding potential for predicting the flow behavior and
performance of Savonius rotor. In the numerical methods, the selection of turbulence models
(S-A model, realizable k-ϵ, standard k-ϵ, RNG k-ε, k-ω transition, k-ω SST, v2-f) and the
selection grid size around the rotor are the most important criteria [62-80]. The various
numerical methods used in augmented Savonius rotors are summarized in Table 4.

5 Conclusions
Wind turbine designers are always being challenged to search for the resolution to use a
smaller wind rotor in harvesting a higher power output while maximizing the cost saving and
simplifying the structural complexity. Lesser self-starting capacity, poor starting torque, and
lesser coefficient of power, are some of the main drawbacks of Savonius VAWTs. It is proven
d
ite
that the augmentation techniques increase the self-starting capability and CP of Savonius
ed
rotors. This review article makes an attempt to analyze the four decades of research into the
augmented Savonius rotors. The key findings along with direction of research are
py
summarized below:
Co
o The augmentation techniques (with additional cost and complexity to the rotor
ot
system) enhance the self-starting capability, amplify the wind speed, improve the
tN
visual impact, prevent blade cracking, and stop bird assaults. Other advantages
ip
include mounting of additional features to the system such as rainwater harvester and
r
sc
solar panel.
nu
o The augmenters such as V-shaped wedge deflector, curtain, obstacle shield, shields
Ma
reduce the exerted wind pressure on the returning blade of rotor and hence raise the
net positive torque. With the use of deflector plate at the rotor front, the CP can be
ed
enhanced up to 20-50% than a rotor without the deflector. On the other hand, the use
pt
of shield in a six-bladed Savonius rotor can improve the CP up to 0.50. These

ce
augmenters do not offer much structural complexity to the rotor system.

Ac
o With the employment of guide box tunnel and convergent nozzle, the CP of a
semicircular-bladed rotor may increase up to 1.5 and 3 times. The convergent nozzle
cuts down the negative torque and increases the wind harvesting capacity of the
turbine rotor. The guide box increases the rotor system complexity resulting a lesser

CP, however, the nozzle makes the rotor lesser complex with a gain in CP. An
optimally designed guide vane can bring a maximum CP of 0.52, however, there is a
chance of strong vortex shedding and high wake is generated around and behind the
rotor leading to high noise generation.
o The use of hinged flaps in a Bach type Savonius rotor can increase the static torque by
d
ite
35% relative to the one without flaps. However, the hinged flaps increase the
ed
structural design complexity of the rotor system.
py
o The venting-slots, if properly designed and oriented, can raise the CP by 7.5% over
Co
the conventional rotor without slots. The performance is found to be maximum when
the venting slot is oriented at 30ᵒ above and below the central axis of the rotor blade.
ot
tN
The venting slots are easier to be incorporated in rotor blades.
ip
o Among the blade profiles evolved, the elliptical-bladed Savonius rotor has proved to
r
sc
harness wind energy more efficiently. The gain in CP for an optimally designed
elliptical-bladed rotor profile is found 18.18% higher than a semicircular-bladed

nu
Savonius rotor.
Ma
o The foregoing analysis suggests the use of deflector plate(s), valves and especially the
ed
venting slots in an elliptical-bladed rotor to improve the CP without bringing much

pt
complexity to the turbine system. The location of augmenters in the elliptical-bladed

ce
rotor blades can be optimized with the help of numerical methods followed by wind
Ac
tunnel experiments.

Nomenclatures
Latin letters
A Swept area (m2)
AR Aspect Ratio
CP Power coefficient
d
CT Dynamic torque coefficient
ite
CTS Static torque co-efficient
ed
D Rotor diameter (m)
py
D Drag force (N)
Co
DO End plate diameter of the rotor (m)
d Chord length of the blade (m) ot

tN
e Overlap distance between rotor blades (m)
H Rotor height (m)

ip
k Turbulence kinetic energy (m2/s2)

r
sc
L Lift force (N)

nu
N Rotor rotational speed (rpm)

Ma
n Number of time step
Pavailable Power available in the wind (W)

ed
Pturbine Power produced by the turbine rotor (W)

pt
S Separation gap/ gap width (m)

ce
Tavailable Theoretical torque available in the wind (N.m)

Ac
Tturbine Actual torque produced by the turbine rotor (N.m)
TS Static torque (N-m)
u Rotor tip speed (m/s)
V Wind velocity (m/s)

Greek letters
α, β Angle of curtain plate (degree)
δ Overlap ratio
ε Energy dissipation rate
εs Gap ratio
d
θ Rotor blade angle (degree)
ite
µ Dynamic viscosity (N-s/m2)
ed
ν Kinematic viscosity (m2/s)
py
ρ Density of air (kg-m3/s)
Co
ω Specific dissipation rate
ot
tN
Abbreviations
ANN Artificial Neural Network

ip
CFD Computational Fluid Dynamics

r
sc
FDM Finite Difference Method

nu
FEM Finite Element Method

Ma
FVM Finite Volume Method
HAWT Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

ed
RANS Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes

pt
RNG Renormalized
ce
RSM Response Surface Method

Ac
SIMPLE Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations
SIMPLEC SIMPLE Consistent
S-A Spalart and Allmaras
sc Semicircular

SST Shear Stress Transport
TSR Tip Speed Ratio
VATS Valve-Aided Twisted Savonius
tw Twisted
VAWT Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
d
wv With Valves
ite
ed
References
py
1. Jian, C., Kumbernuss, J., Linhua, Z., Lin, L., and Hongxing, Y., 2012, “Influence of
Co
phase-shift and overlap ratio on Savonius wind turbine’s performance,” ASME J. Sol.
Energy Eng., 134(1), p. 11016.

ot
tN
2. Zhou, T., and Rempfer, D., 2013, “Numerical study of detailed fl ow field and
ip
performance of Savonius wind turbines,” Renew. Energy , 51, 373–381.

r
sc
doi:10.1016/j.renene.2012.09.046.
3. Modi, V., and Fernando, M., 1989, “On the performance of the Savonius wind
nu
turbine,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng., 111(1), pp. 71–81.

Ma
4. Hayashi, T., Li, Y., and Hara, Y., 2005, “Wind Tunnel tests on a different phase
ed
three-stage Savonius rotor,” JSME Int. J. Ser. B, 48(1), pp. 9–16.
5. Tummala, A., Velamati, R. K., Sinha, D. K., Indraja, V., and Krishna, V. H., 2016, “A
pt
ce
review on small scale wind turbines,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 56, pp. 1351–
Ac
1371.
6. Damak, A., Driss, Z., and Abid, M. S., 2013, “Experimental investigation of helical
Savonius rotor with a twist of 180ᵒ,” Renew. Energy, 52, pp. 136–142.
7. Fujisawa, N., and Gotoh, F., 1994, “Experimental study on the aerodynamic 548
performance of a Savonius rotor,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng., 116(3), pp. 148–152.

8. Shikha, Bhatti, T. S., and Kothari, D. P., 2003, “Wind energy conversion systems as a
distributed source of generation,” J. Energy Eng., 129(3), pp. 69–80.
9. Mohamed, M. H., Janiga, G., Pap, E., and Thévenin, D., 2010, “Optimal blade shape
of a modified Savonius turbine using an obstacle shielding the returning blade,”
Renew. Energy, 52(1), pp. 236–242.
d
10. Altan, B. D., and Atilgan, M., 2010, “The use of a curtain design to increase the
ite
performance level of a Savonius wind rotors,” Renew. Energy, 35(4), pp. 821–829.
ed
11. Abraham, J. P., Plourde, B. D., Mowry, G. S., Minkowycz, W. J., and Sparrow, E. M.,
py
2012, “Summary of Savonius wind turbine development and future applications for
Co
small-scale power generation,” J. Renew. Sustain. Energy, 4(4).
12. Amano, R. S., 2017, “Review of Wind Turbine Research in 21st Century,” ASME J.
ot
tN
Energy Resour. Technol., 139(5), p. 50801.
13. Dossena, V., Persico, G., Paradiso, B., Battisti, L., Dell’Anna, S., Brighenti, A., and
ip
Benini, E., 2015, “An Experimental Study of the Aerodynamics and Performance of a
r
sc
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in a Confined and Unconfined Environment,” ASME J.

nu

Ma
14. Roy, S., Mukherjee, P., and Saha, U. K., 2014, “Aerodynamic performance evaluation
of novel Savonius-style wind turbine under oriented jet,” Proceedings of the ASME
ed
2014 Gas Turbine India Conference GTINDIA2014, ASME, pp. 1–7.

pt
15. El-Askary, W. A., Nasef, M. H., AbdEL-hamid, A. A., and Gad, H. E., 2015,
ce
“Harvesting wind energy for improving performance of Savonius rotor,” J. Wind Eng.
Ac
Ind. Aerodyn., 139, pp. 8–15.
16. Wong, K. H., Chong, W. T., Sukiman, N. L., Poh, S. C., Shiah, Y.-C., and Wang, C.-
T., 2017, “Performance enhancements on vertical axis wind turbines using flow

augmentation systems: A review,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 73(February), pp.
904–921.
17. Akwa, J. V., Vielmo, H. A., and Petry, A. P., 2012, “A review on the performance of
Savonius wind turbines,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 16(5), pp. 3054–3064.
18. Roy, S., and Saha, U. K., 2013, “Review of experimental investigations into the
d
design, performance and optimization of the Savonius rotor,” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng.
ite
Part a-Journal Power Energy, 227(4), pp. 528–542.
ed
19. Savonius, S.J., 1930, “The S-rotor and its applications. Mechanical Engineering,”
py
http://www.google.co.in/patents/US1766765.
Co
20. Modi, V. J., Roth, N. J., and Fernando, M. S. U. K., 1984, “Optimum-configuration
studies and prototype design of a wind-energy-operated irrigation system,” J. Wind

ot
tN
Eng. Ind. Aerodyn., 16(1), pp. 85–96.
21. Shaughnessy, B. M., and Probert, S. D., 1992, “Partially-blocked Savonius rotor,”
ip
Appl. Energy, 43(4), pp. 239–249.

r
sc
22. Promdee, C., and Photong, C., 2016, “Effects of wind angles and wind speeds on
nu
voltage generation of Savonius wind turbine with double wind tunnels,” Procedia
Ma
Comput. Sci., 86(March), pp. 401–404.
23. Kacprzak, K., Liskiewicz, G., and Sobczak, K., 2013, “Numerical investigation of
ed
conventional and modified Savonius wind turbines,” Renew. Energy, 60, pp. 578–
pt
585.
ce
24. Benesh, A.H, Ave, S.A. Dak, P.S., 1996, “Wind turbine with Savonius-type rotor,”
Ac
(1996) 88.
25. Grinspan, A. S., Saha, U. K., and Mahanta, P., 2004, “Experimental investigation of
twisted bladed savonius wind turbine rotor,” Int. Energy J., 5(1), pp. 1–9.

26. Banerjee, A., Roy, S., Mukherjee, P., and Saha, U. K., 2014, “Unsteady flow analysis
around an elliptic-bladed Savonius-style wind turbine,” Proceedings of the ASME
2014 Gas Turbine India Conference GTINDIA2014, ASME, pp. 1–7.
27. Alom, N., Kolaparthi, S. C., Gadde, S. C., and Saha, U. K., 2016, “Aerodynamic
design optimization of elliptical-bladed Savonius-style wind turbine by numerical
d
simulations,” Volume 6: Ocean Space Utilization; Ocean Renewable Energy, ASME,
ite
p. V006T09A009.
ed
28. Song, L., Yang, Z.-X., Deng, R.-T., and Yang, X.-G., 2013, “Performance and
py
structure optimization for a new type of vertical axis wind turbine,” Proceedings of
Co
the 2013 International Conference on Advanced Mechatronic Systems, IEEE, pp.
687–692. ot
tN
29. Gerardo, G., and Molfino, R., 2014, “From Savonius to Bronzinus : A comparison
ip
among vertical wind turbines,” Energy Procedia. 50, 10–18.

r
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.06.002.
sc
30. Tartuferi, M., Alessandro, V.D., Montelpare, S., and Ricci, R., 2015, “Enhancement
nu
of Savonius wind rotor aerodynamic performance : a computational study of new

Ma
blade shapes and curtain systems,” Energy. 79, 371–384.

ed
doi:10.1016/j.energy.2014.11.023.
pt
31. Sharma, S., and Sharma, R. K., 2017, “CFD investigation to quantify the effect of
ce
layered multiple miniature blades on the performance of Savonius rotor,” Energy

Ac
Convers. Manag., 144, pp. 275–285.
32. Sharma, S., and Sharma, R. K., 2016, “Performance improvement of Savonius rotor
using multiple quarter blades - A CFD investigation,” Energy Convers. Manag., 127,
pp. 43–54.

33. Mari, M., Venturini, M., and Beyene, A., 2017, “A novel geometry for vertical axis
wind turbines based on the savonius concept,” ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
Trans. ASME, 139(6), pp. 1–9.
34. Derakhshan, S., Tavaziani, A., and Kasaeian, N., 2015, “Numerical Shape
Optimization of a Wind Turbine Blades Using Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm,”
d
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol., 137(5), p. 51210.
ite
35. Fujisawa, N., Ishimatsu, K., and Kage, K., 1995, “A Comparative study of navier-
ed
stokes calculations and experiments for the Savonius rotor,” J. Sol. Energy Eng.,
py
117(4), p. 344.
Co
36. D’Alessandro, V., Montelpare, S., Ricci, R., and Secchiaroli, A., 2010, “Unsteady
ot
aerodynamics of a Savonius wind rotor: A new computational approach for the
tN
simulation of energy performance,” Energy, 35(8), pp. 3349–3363.
ip
37. Emmanuel, B., and Jun, W., 2011, “Numerical study of a six-bladed Savonius wind
r
turbine,” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng., 133(4), p. 44503.

sc
38. Irabu, K., and Roy, J. N., 2011, “Study of direct force measurement and
nu
characteristics on blades of Savonius rotor at static state,” Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci.,
Ma
35(4), pp. 653–659.
39. Coughtrie, A. R., Borman, D. J., and Sleigh, P. A., 2013, “Effects of turbulence
ed
modelling on prediction of flow characteristics in a bench-scale anaerobic gas-lift

pt
digester,” Bioresour. Technol., 138, pp. 297–306.

ce
40. Gupta, A. K., 2015, “Efficient wind energy conversion: evolution to modern design,”
Ac
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol., 137(5), p. 51201.
41. Baz, A. M., Mahmoud, N. A., Hamed, A. M., and Youssef, K. M., 2016,
“Optimization of two and three rotor Savonius wind turbine,” Proceedings of ASME

Turbo Expo 2015: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition GT2015, ASME,
pp. 1–11.
42. Caboni, M., Sergio Campobasso, M., and Minisci, E., 2016, “Wind turbine design
optimization under environmental uncertainty,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power,
138(8), p. 82601.
d
43. Frikha, S., Driss, Z., Ayadi, E., Masmoudi, Z., and Abid, M. S., 2016, “Numerical and
ite
experimental characterization of multi-stage Savonius rotors,” Energy, 114, pp. 382–
ed
404.
py
44. Gad-el-Hak, M., 2016, “Nine decades of fluid mechanics,” ASME J. Fluids Eng.,
Co
138(c), pp. 1–10.
45. Ducoin, A., Shadloo, M. S., and Roy, S., 2017, “Direct Numerical simulation of flow
ot
tN
instabilities over Savonius style wind turbine blades,” Renew. Energy, 105, pp. 374–
385.
ip
46. Alexander, A. J., and Holownia, B. P., 1978, “Wind tunnel tests on a Savonius rotor,”
r
sc
J. Ind. Aerodyn., 3, pp. 343–351.

nu
47. Ogawa, T., Yoshida, H., and Yokota, Y., 1989, “Development of rotational speed
Ma
control systems for a Savonius-type wind turbine,” ASME J. Fluids Eng., 111(1), p.
53.
ed
48. Van Treuren, K. W., 2015, “Small-Scale Wind Turbine Testing in Wind Tunnels
pt
Under Low Reynolds Number Conditions,” ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.,

ce
137(5), p. 51208.
Ac
49. Ohya, Y., Miyazaki, J., Göltenbott, U., and Watanabe, K., 2017, “Power
Augmentation of Shrouded Wind Turbines in a Multirotor System,” ASME J. Energy
Resour. Technol., 139(5), pp. 51202–51212.

50. Gupta, R., Biswas, A., and Sharma, K. K., 2008, “Comparative study of a three-
bucket Savonius rotor with a combined three-bucket Savonius-three-bladed Darrieus
rotor,” Renew. Energy, 33(9), pp. 1974–1981.
51. Dobrev, I., and Massouh, F., 2011, “CFD and PIV investigation of unsteady flow
through Savonius wind turbine,” Energy Procedia, 6, pp. 711–720.
d
52. Naccache, G., and Paraschivoiu, M., 2017, “Development of the dual vertical axis
ite
wind turbine using CFD,” J. Fluids Eng., 139(December), pp. 1–17.
ed
53. Alejandro Franco, J., Carlos Jauregui, J., Carbajal, A., and Toledano-Ayala, M., 2017,
py
“Shape Morphing Mechanism for Improving Wind Turbines Performance,” ASME J.
Co
54. Walker, J. F., and Jenkins, N., 1997 “ Wind energy technology,” John Wiley and
ot
tN
Sons, Chichester, England.
55. Morcos, S. M., Khalafallah, M. G., and Heikel, H. A., 1981, “The effect of shielding
ip
on the aerodynamic performance of Savonius wind turbines,” Intersoc. Energy

r
sc
Convers. Eng. Conf. 16th, Atlanta, GA, August 9-14, 1981, Proceedings. Vol. 2.
nu
(A82-11701 02-44) New York, Am. Soc. Mech. Eng. 1981, p. 2037-2040., pp. 2037–
Ma
2040.
56. Ogawa, T., and Yoshida, H., 1986, “Effects of a deflecting plate and rotor end plates
ed
on performance of Savonius type wind turbine,” Bulletin of J. S. M. E. 29, 2115–

pt
2121.
ce
57. Huda, M. D., Selim, M. A., Islam, A.K.M.S., Islam, M. Q., 1992, “The performance
Ac
of an S-shaped Savonius rotor with a deflecting plate,” RERIC Int. Energy J. 14, 25–
32.
58. Reupke, P., and Probert, S. D., 1991, “Slatted-blade Savonius wind-rotors,” Appl.
Energy, 40(1), pp. 65–75.

59. Menet, J. L., 2004, “A double-step Savonius rotor for local production of electricity:
A design study,” Renew. Energy, 29(11), pp. 1843–1862.
60. Rajkumar, M. J., and Saha, U. K., 2006, “Valve-aided twisted Savonius rotor,” Wind
Eng., 30(3), pp. 243–254.
61. Hu, Y., Tong, Z., and Wang, S., 2009, “A new type of VAWT and blade
d
optimization,” Int. Technol. Innov. Conf. 2009 (ITIC 2009), pp. 14–14.
ite
62. Golecha, K., Eldho, T. I., and Prabhu, S. V., 2011, “Influence of the deflector plate on
ed
the performance of modified Savonius water turbine,” Appl. Energy, 88(9), pp. 3207–
py
3217.
Co
63. Mohamed, M.H., Janiga, G., Pap, E., and Thévenin, D., 2011, “Optimal blade shape of
ot
a modified Savonius turbine using an obstacle shielding the returning blade,” Energy
tN
Convers. Manag., 52, 236–242. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2010.06.070.
ip
64. Tabassum, S. A., and Probert, S. D., 1987, “Vertical-axis wind turbine: A modified
r
sc
design,” Appl. Energy, 28(1), pp. 59–67.

nu
65. Saha, U. K., Thotla, S., and Maity, D., 2008, “Optimum design configuration of
Savonius rotor through wind tunnel experiments,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn., 96(8–
Ma
9), pp. 1359–1375.

ed
66. Kamoji, M. A., Kedare, S. B., and Prabhu, S. V., 2009, “Performance tests on helical
pt
Savonius rotors,” Renew. Energy, 34(3), pp. 521–529.

ce
67. Lee, J. H., Lee, Y. T., and Lim, H. C., 2016, “Effect of twist angle on the performance
Ac
of Savonius wind turbine,” Renew. Energy, 89, pp. 231–244.
68. Irabu, K., and Roy, J. N., 2007, “Characteristics of wind power on Savonius rotor
using a guide-box tunnel,” Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci., 32(2), pp. 580–586.
69. Altan, B. D., and Atilgan, M., 2008, “An experimental and numerical study on the
improvement of the performance of Savonius wind rotor,” Energy Convers. Manag.,

49(12), pp. 3425–3432.
70. Plourde, B., Abraham, J., Mowry, G., and Minkowycz, W., 2012, “Simulations of
three-dimensional vertical-axis turbines for communications applications,” Wind
Eng., 36(4), pp. 443–454.
71. Alom, N., and Saha, U. K., 2016, “Numerical optimization of semicircular-bladed
d
Savonius rotor using vent augmenters,” in: Proceedings of the ACGT2016 Asian
ite
Congress on Gas Turbines, November 14-16, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India.
ed
72. Kamoji, M.A., Kedare, S.B., and Prabhu, S.V., 2008, “Experiments investigations on
py
single stage, two stages and three stages conventional Savonius rotor,” Int. J. Energy
Co
Res. 10: 877–895.
73. Roy, S. and Saha, U.K., 2013 “Review on the numerical investigations into the
ot
tN
design and development of Savonius wind rotors,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 24,
73–83.
ip
74. Kang, C., Liu, H., and Yang, X., 2014, “Review of fluid dynamics aspects of
r
sc
Savonius-rotor-based vertical-axis wind rotors,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 33, 499
nu
–508.
Ma
75. Song, C., Zheng, Y., Zhao, Z., Zhang, Y., Li, C., and Jiang, H., 2015, “Investigation
of meshing strategies and turbulence models of computational fluid dynamics

ed
simulations of vertical axis wind turbines,” J. Renew. Sustain. Energy, 7(3), pp. 0–19.
pt
76. Balduzzi, F., Bianchini, A., Maleci, R., Ferrara, G., and Ferrari, L., 2014, “Blade
ce
design criteria to compensate the flow curvature effects in H-darrieus wind turbines,”
Ac
ASME J. Turbomach., 137(1), p. 11006.
77. Uemura, Y., Tanabe, Y., Mamori, H., Fukushima, N., and Yamamoto, M., 2017,
“Wake Deflection in Long Distance from a Yawed Wind Turbine,” ASME J. Energy
Resour. Technol. Trans. ASME, 139(5), pp. 1–9.

78. Rahman, M., Morshed, K. N., Lewis, J., and Fuller, M., 2010, “Experimental and
numerical investigations on drag and torque characteristics of three-bladed Savonius
wind turbine,” IMECE2009, Vol 6, ASME, pp. 85–94.
79. Ferdoues, M. S., Ebrahimi, S., and Vijayaraghavan, K., 2017, “Multi-objective
optimization of the design and operating point of a new external axis wind turbine,”
d
Energy, 125, pp. 643–653.
ite
80. Castelli, M. R., and Benini, E., 2012, “Effect of blade inclination angle on a Darrieus
ed
wind turbine,” ASME J. Turbomach., 134(3), p. 31016.
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

List of Figures
Fig. 1 Various blade profiles used for Savonius rotors.
Fig. 2 Basic parameters of Savonius rotor
Fig. 3 Lift and drag force on Savonius rotor
d
Fig. 4 Various types of augmentation techniques.
ite
Fig. 5 CP vs TSR for obstacle and without obstacle [9]
ed
Fig. 6 Cp vs TSR for various deflector azimuthal angle [47]
py
Fig. 7 Cp vs TSR for various flaps [58]
Co
Fig. 8 Static torque vs angle of rotation for various flaps [64]
Fig. 9 Cp vs various deflector plate angle[21]

ot
Fig. 10 Cp vs velocity for various configurstion [65]
tN
Fig. 11 RPM vs velocity for various gap width of twisted bladed rotor [25]
ip
Fig. 12 CP vs velocity for various valve aided Savonius rotor [65]

r
sc
Fig. 13 Power vs RPM for various curtain design [10]

nu
Fig.14 Variation of CP with TSR for various rotor configurations [37]

Ma
Fig. 15: Variation of power vs wind speeds for a vented and capped rotor [11].
Fig.16 Vents at three different positions on the semicircular-bladed profiles [71]

ed
Fig.17 Variation of CP with TSR [71]

pt
Fig.18 Velocity contour of the conventional Savonius rotor [71].

ce
Fig.19 Orientation of the concentrators [14]

Ac
Fig.20 CP vs TSR at various orientations of the concentrators [14]
Fig.21 Different guide vane designs by El-Askary et al. [15]
Fig.22 CP vs TSR for various guide vane position [15]

List of Tables
Table 1 Performance of various Savonius rotor profiles
Table 2 Various augmentation techniques and observation
Table 3 Literature reported experimental work on augmentation techniques.
d
ite
Table 4 Literature reported numerical work on augmentation techniques.
ed
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

Table 1: Performance of various Savonius rotor profiles
Investigator(s) Year Blade profile CPmax

Alexander and Holownia [46] 1978 Semicircular 0.147
Owaga et al. [47] 1984 Semicircular 0.17
d
Grinspan et al. [25] 2004 Twisted 0.1159
ite
Kacprzak et al. [23] 2013 Bach 0.178
ed
Song et al. [28] 2013 Fish-ridged 0.23
Kacprzak et al. [23] 2013 Elliptical 0.172
py
Banerjee et al. [26] 2014 Elliptical 0.27
Roy et al. [14] 2014 Modified Bach 0.30
Co
Roy et al. [14] 2014 Roy profile (New) 0.31
Gerardo and Molfino [29] 2014 Bronzinus 0.25
Tartuferi et al. [30] 2015
ot
Airfoil shape 0.22
tN
Alom et al. [27] 2016 Elliptical 0.33
Sharma and Sharma [31] 2016 Multiple quarter 0.2266
ip
semicircular
r
Sharma and Sharma [32] 2017 Multiple miniature 0.226

sc
semicircular
nu
Mari et al. [33] 2017 Spline 0.2477

Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

Table 2: Various augmentation techniques and observation
Investigators Year Augmenter used Observation

Alexander and Holownia [46] 1978 Wind shields CPmax = 0.243
Morcos et al. [55] 1981 Wind shields CPmax = 0.34
d
Ogawa et al. [56] 1984 Deflector plate CPmax = 0.212
ite
Reupke and Probert [58] 1991 Slatted blade CPmax = 0.18
Shaughnessy and Probert [21] 1992 V-shaped deflector 19.7% increase of CP from
ed
the conventional rotor.
py
Huda et al. [57] 1992 Deflector plate 20% increase of CP from the
conventional rotor.
Co
Shikha et al. [8] 2003 Nozzle Increase of wind speed by 2
to 3 times.
Menet [59] 2004 Multi-staging ot Improved CP than the single
stage rotor.
tN
Grinspan et al. [25] 2004 Twisted blade CPmax = 0.1159

Rajkumar and Saha [60] 2006 Valve Reduces negative torque.
ip
Irabu and Roy [68] 2007 Guide box tunnel Increase in CP by 1.5 times
r
sc
for 3-bladed and 1.23 times

for 2-bladed rotors.
nu
Hu et al. [61] 2009 Circular shield Reduces wind pressure on

the returning blade.
Ma
Altan and Atilgan [10] 2010 Curtain design CPmax = 0.38

Mohamed et al. [9] 2011 Obstacle shielding CPmax = 0.258
ed
Golecha et al. [62] 2011 Deflector plate 50% increase of CP from the
conventional rotor.
pt
Emmanuel and Jun [37] 2011 Shield CPmax = 0.50

ce
Abraham et al. [11] 2012 Venting slots Reduces negative torque.

Ac
Roy et al. [14] 2014 Concentrators CPmax = 0.33

El-Askary et al. [15] 2015 Guide vane CPmax = 0.52
Tartuferi et al. [30] 2015 Conveyor-deflector curtain CPmax = 0.30

Table 3: Literature reported experimental work on augmentation techniques.
d
ite
Augmentation Rotor dimensions
Researcher(s) TSR No. of blades Observation
Techniques (H×D) (m×m)
d
0.23×0.33
ye
Hayashi et al. [4] 0.75 2 CT is higher in the single stage rotor than the 3-stage rotor
0.074 × 0.184
Frikha et al. [43] 0.20 × 0.173 -- 2 CP increases with the increase of number of stages.
p
Co
Improved CP in 2-stage, 2-bladed rotor than the single stage
Menet [59] 0.1025 × 0.445 -- 2, 3
rotor.
The single-stage modified Savonius rotor is found better as
Multi-staging Golecha et al. [62] 0.170 × 0.245 0.82 2
compared to two- and three-stage modified Savonius rotors.
ot
CPmax = 0.29 for 2-stage, 2-bladed rotor.
0.173 × 0.109
tN
Saha et al. [65] 0.122 × 0.077 -- 2, 3
0.10 × 0.063
0.208 × 0.208
ip
Static CT is lower in 3-stage rotor than the 1- and 2-stages
Kamoji et al. [72] 0.226 × 0.113 0.83 2
rotor.
0.289 × 0.096
r
sc
Venting slot Abraham et al. [11] 1.1 × 1.32 -- 2 Reduces the negative torque
CPmax = 0.23
nu
Oriented jet Roy et al. [14] 0.230 × 0.209 0.70 2
Wind shields Alexander and Holownia [46] 0.46 × 0.19 0.72 2 CPmax = 0.234
Ma
Shaughnessy and Probert [21] 0.58 × 0.45 0.44 2 19.7% increase of CP from the conventional rotor.
Ogawa et al. [56] 0.175 × 0.3 0.86 2 CPmax = 0.212
Deflector plate
d
Huda et al. [57] 0.185 × 0.32 0.72 2 20% increase of CP from the conventional rotor.
te
Golecha et al. [62] 0.170 × 0.245 0.82 2 50% increase of CP from the conventional rotor.
p
Reduces negative torque.

Valve Rajkumar and Saha [60] 0.220 × 0.250 0.669 3
ce
The optimum curtain angle has been found as α = 45ᵒ and β =

Curtain Altan and Atilgan [69] 0.32 × 0.32 -- 2
15ᵒ
Ac

Table 4: Literature reported numerical work on augmentation techniques.
Augmentation No. of
Researcher(s) CFD methodology Observation
Techniques blades
Obstacle FVM with 2D

Mohamed et al. [9] 2, 3 CPmax = 0.258
shield realizable k-ϵ model
d
2D and 3D k-ω SST
ite
Reduces the negative
Abraham et al. [11] 2
model torque.
ed
Venting slot 7.53% increase of CP
Alom and Saha [71] 2D k-ω SST model 2 from conventional rotor
py
without venting slots
Co
CPmax = 0.52 for Design-
Guide vane El-Askary et al. [15] 2D k-ω SST model 2
III
ot
Fluent & Matlab, v2-f,
Conveyor- 20% more power than
tN
Tartuferi et al. [30] FVM and RSM 2
deflector the conventional rotor.
turbulence flow
ip
Six-bladed rotor with

r
Wind shield Enamuel and Jun [37] 2D RNG k-ε 2, 6 shield and stator is
sc
found better.
nu
The dynamic CT and the

FVM with 3D 2 CP enhanced as the
Multi-staging Frikha et al. [43]
Ma
modified k-ϵ model number of stage

increased.
ed
The optimum curtain

FVM with 2D standard
Curtain Altan and Atilgan [69] 2 angle has been found at
k-ϵ model
pt
α = 45ᵒ and β = 15ᵒ

ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac
Figure 1: Various blade profiles used for Savonius rotors.

d
ite
ed
py
Co
ot
tN
Figure 2: Basic parameters of Savonius rotor

r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 3: Lift and drag force on Savonius rotor
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac
Figure 4: Various types of augmentation techniques.

d
ite
ed
Figure 5: CP vs TSR for obstacle and without obstacle [9]
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
Figure 6: Cp vs TSR for various deflector azimuthal angle [47]
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
Figure 7: Cp vs TSR for various flaps [58]
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 8: Static torque vs angle of rotation for various flaps [64]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 9: Cp vs various deflector plate angle[21]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 10: CP vs velocity for various configurstion [65]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 11: RPM vs velocity for various gap width of twisted bladed rotor [25]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 12: CP vs velocity for various valve aided Savonius rotor [65]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 13: Power vs RPM for various curtain design [10]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
Figure 14: Variation of CP with TSR for various rotor configurations [37]
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 15: Variation of power vs wind speeds for a vented and capped rotor [11].
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
Figure 16: Vents at three different positions on the semicircular-bladed profiles [71]
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 17: Variation of CP with TSR [71]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
Figure 18: Velocity contour of the conventional Savonius rotor [71].
py
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 19: Orientation of the concentrators [14]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 20: CP vs TSR at various orientations of the concentrators [14]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 21: Different guide vane designs by El-Askary et al. [15]
Co
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

d
ite
ed
py
Figure 22: CP vs TSR for various guide vane position [15]
Co
`
ot
tN
r ip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

Four Decades of Research Into The Augmentation Techniques of Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Four Decades of Research Into The Augmentation Techniques of Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Journal of Energy Resources Technology.

Received November 05, 2017;

Four Decades of Research into the Augmentation Techniques of

Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Guwahati- 781039, India

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

coefficient, tip-speed ratio.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

1.1 Aim of the present study

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

study, an elliptical profile of different design has shown a performance improvement of

in the future designs of Savonius rotor.

1.3 Geometric parameters

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

180⁰ [17, 18].

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

1.4 Performance parameters

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

at the intermediate range of TSR [26].

1.5 Aerodynamic parameters – Drag and lift

installed in multiple configurations in a restricted place. These turbines equipped with an

for electricity production [54].

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

in the following section.

2.1 Wind shields

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

2.3 Slatted blades

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

average torque produced during the complete rotation of the turbine.

2.4 V-shaped deflectors

rotor operates over a wider range of TSR [21].

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

speed under the application of convergent nozzle at the rotor front.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

comparison to its corresponding single-stage rotor. Staging results in the reduction of AR of

that of the semicircular-bladed rotor (Fig. 11).

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

2.9 Guide box

between 60ᵒ to 90ᵒ.

2.10 Curtain plates

There was 16% improvement of performance in case of curtain 1 as compared to curtainless

rotor (Fig. 13).

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

linking to the rotor.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

effectiveness into the rotor design.

This shows an overall performance improvement of 47.5% as compared to a semicircular-

bladed Savonius rotor without concentrators (Fig. 20).

2.14 Guide vane

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

and large eddies behind and around the rotors.

3. Wind tunnel tests at a glance

4. Numerical studies at a glance

numerical methods used in augmented Savonius rotors are summarized in Table 4.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

of shield in a six-bladed Savonius rotor can improve the CP up to 0.50. These

augmenters do not offer much structural complexity to the rotor system.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 12/26/2017 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

rotor leading to high noise generation.

of Savonius wind rotor aerodynamic performance : a computational study of new