Abstract
In this work the effects of various shroud types and flange thicknesses on the performance of a micro wind turbine are studied. For the first time the micro wind turbine has been simulated inside the shroud, simultaneously. Two 3D models, one of an airfoil-revolved shroud and the other of a nozzle-diffuser shroud inspired by the geometry of the airfoil-based shroud, have been simulated in order to compare the results. Moreover, for the first time in the literature the thickness of the flange has been changed to study its effect on the Turbine efficiency. It is evident from the results that the micro wind turbine experiences the highest increase in output power when equipped with a nozzle-diffuser shroud featuring a thick flange. The power coefficient in this instance is 0.313, indicating a 125% increase compared to the bared wind turbine and a 32% increase compared to the flangeless nozzle-diffuser case.
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