Information regarding wind turbines

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the torque requirements for wind turbines, specifically a 1.5 megawatt turbine operating at 20 rpm and requiring 338 kiloNewton meters of force, and a 100 kilowatt turbine at 60 rpm needing 19.4 kiloNewton meters. The formula for calculating torque is established as P = Tω, where P is power in watts, T is torque in Newton meters, and ω is angular velocity in radians per second. Calculations reveal discrepancies in the torque values provided, suggesting potential inefficiencies or miscalculations related to gearbox ratios.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of torque calculations in physics
  • Familiarity with angular velocity and its conversion to radians
  • Basic knowledge of gearbox mechanics and efficiency
  • Awareness of wind turbine specifications and performance metrics
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  • Research the efficiency of gearbox systems in wind turbines
  • Learn about the impact of torque on wind turbine performance
  • Explore the relationship between power output and rotational speed in wind energy systems
  • Investigate common torque calculation errors in mechanical engineering
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Engineers, renewable energy researchers, and students studying mechanical engineering or wind energy technology will benefit from this discussion.

kitarey
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Im looking for information regarding wind turbines. A 1.5 megawatt turbine rotates at 20 rpm and requires 338 kiloNewton meters of force. A 100 kilowatt turbine rotates at 60 rpm and requires 19.4 kiloNewton meters of force. Both are gearbox driven generators.

Is there a formula that is used to determine these torques? I do not have the intellect to successfully determine this. Is more information needed in order to get the result?

Kit
 
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kitarey said:
Im looking for information regarding wind turbines. A 1.5 megawatt turbine rotates at 20 rpm and requires 338 kiloNewton meters of force. A 100 kilowatt turbine rotates at 60 rpm and requires 19.4 kiloNewton meters of force. Both are gearbox driven generators.

Is there a formula that is used to determine these torques? I do not have the intellect to successfully determine this. Is more information needed in order to get the result?

Kit

P=T\omega

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque
 
power in watts=the torque in Newton meters X the angular velocity in radians per second

1 degree = (2 X pi)/360 radians

so for your wind turbines:

20rpm = 7200 degrees per minute = 120 degrees per second = 2.094 radians per second

torque = power divided by angular velocity

1.5 megawatts = 1,500,000 watts

required torque = 1,500,000/2.094 = 716,332 Newton meters = 716 kilo Newton meters

this value is just under twice that of that stated in your question so I am not sure what the value you've stated is for (possibly the torque and rpm values are from different ends of a 2:1 gearbox?). however i did the same working for the other turbine values and got 15.9 kiloNewton meters which is slightly lower than the stated value which makes sense because you need to acount for the efficiency of the generator and power losses through the gearbox etc.

iv just noticed that the value i calculated for the first turbine is in fact more than double the value stated. i don't understand at all the origins of the number you found. mabye a 3:1 gearbox with pretty bad efficiency? or the wrong number? i know nothing about wind turbines, just a bit about torque so that's all the use i can be i think.

just out of interest what's this for? if you don't mind me asking.
 
kitarey said:
Im looking for information regarding wind turbines. A 1.5 megawatt turbine rotates at 20 rpm and requires 338 kiloNewton meters of force. A 100 kilowatt turbine rotates at 60 rpm and requires 19.4 kiloNewton meters of force. Both are gearbox driven generators.

Is there a formula that is used to determine these torques? I do not have the intellect to successfully determine this. Is more information needed in order to get the result?

Kit

http://www.rpc.com.au/products/windturbines/wind-book/wind4.pdf

This should explain it in detail if you feel like reading.

CS
 

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