Information regarding wind turbines

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the torque requirements for wind turbines, specifically a 1.5 megawatt turbine and a 100 kilowatt turbine. Participants explore the formulas related to torque and power, as well as the implications of gearbox efficiency on these calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Kit, seeks information on the torque values for two wind turbines and asks if a formula exists to determine these torques.
  • Another participant provides the formula relating power, torque, and angular velocity, suggesting that torque can be calculated using the equation P = Tω.
  • A participant calculates the required torque for the 1.5 megawatt turbine and finds a value of 716 kiloNewton meters, which is significantly higher than the stated value of 338 kiloNewton meters, raising questions about the source of the original data.
  • This same participant also calculates the torque for the 100 kilowatt turbine, arriving at a value of 15.9 kiloNewton meters, which is slightly lower than the stated value, suggesting the need to account for efficiency losses.
  • Another participant shares a link to a resource that may provide further detailed explanations regarding wind turbines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the accuracy of the torque values provided for the turbines, with some calculations yielding results that do not align with the original figures. There is no consensus on the correct torque values or the reasons for the discrepancies.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential factors affecting torque calculations, such as gearbox efficiency and the possibility of using different gear ratios, but these aspects remain unresolved.

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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