How can I calculate torque from wind for a specific wind turbine design?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the torque produced by wind turbine blades under specific wind conditions, particularly focusing on an 8-foot diameter blade at 10 mph. The conversation explores various methods and considerations involved in such calculations, including the relationship between torque and power generation, as well as the factors influencing efficiency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the method to calculate torque for wind turbine blades given specific dimensions and wind speed.
  • Another suggests a practical approach of using a suspended scale to measure torque directly from the blades.
  • A different viewpoint indicates that calculating torque is complex and not straightforward with the provided information, suggesting it may not be essential to know.
  • A participant elaborates that measuring the output of the system could provide insights into torque, emphasizing the importance of additional data such as blade type, angle of attack, and mechanical inefficiencies.
  • One contributor notes that a sophisticated stress analysis software would be necessary for estimating torque prior to design, highlighting the complexity of the analysis.
  • A participant with industry experience mentions that several variables must be considered, including air density, camber, angle of attack, chord length, blade length, and taper.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and relevance of calculating torque from wind conditions, with some suggesting practical measurement methods while others emphasize the complexity and need for additional variables. No consensus is reached regarding the best approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the information provided, such as missing variables and assumptions necessary for accurate torque calculations. The complexity of the analysis is acknowledged, indicating that a simple calculation may not suffice.

dcaldwell
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how would i go about finding the torque that wind turbine blades would produce with my wind conditions, for example 8' diameter blades at 10 mph wind?
 
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Maybe you could somehow fix a suspended scale between the ground and the end of a rising blade.
 
It isn't something that can be easily calculated (and certainly not with that information) and typically not a relevant thing to know anyway.
 
dcaldwell said:
how would i go about finding the torque that wind turbine blades would produce with my wind conditions, for example 8' diameter blades at 10 mph wind?

I think you are asking how much torque it produces as it relates to generating electrical power. If so, you can just measure the output of the system, the generator produces X amount of power at Y MPH wind. The blades have a huge effect on conversion efficiency so there would have to be a lot more data on blade type, the angle of attack, etc. Also mechanical inefficiencies would play into how much actual power comes off the wind system. You could measure the torque on a given blade by holding the blades from moving and hooking the shaft to a measuring device, for instance, a pulley on the blade shaft hooked to a weight scale and just reading how many pounds or Kg's the system generates. Of course that would be on an already existing blade and tower. You would need a sophisticated stress analysis software to get an idea of the torque before you design it. It would not be a simple analysis.
 
The company I work for is currently contracted for wind turbine designs, so this is a fortunate question.

In actuality, there are a lot more variables here. You need air density (based on temperature and pressure), and you need to know camber (upper and lower), angle of attack of the blades, chord length of the airfoil, blade length, and taper.
 
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