Torque in Wind Turbines: Calculating Power Output

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The discussion focuses on calculating torque and power output for a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) using a rope brake dynamometer setup. The user measured the turbine's performance at a wind speed of 5 m/s, noting that the turbine stopped rotating when a load of 200 grams was applied. Calculations revealed the power available in the wind to be approximately 9.61 watts, while the power produced by the turbine was only 0.0304 watts, indicating a very low coefficient of performance (Cp). Participants suggest reviewing the efficiency of the turbine under low load conditions and recommend using a spreadsheet for further analysis and data visualization. The user is encouraged to explore additional data points to better understand the turbine's performance.
sundaravadivel
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【 mod note: moved to H/W forum so homework template is absent 】

Dear all
i am trying to calculate torque in HAWT from the measurements using Rope brake dynamometer set up with a blower. i had wound a string over the turbine shaft. The string is connected to a spring balance on its one end and the other end have provisions to add weights.
firstly i'd calculated the turbine free wheeling characteristics ie.. i allowed the turbine rotor to rotate due to blower wind (5m/s) and i applied load in steps of 10 gm and correspondingly I've noted the RPM (310 RPM). When a particular load is reached (200 grams) , the turbine shaft, does not able to overcome the load and stop its rotation. The blade length is 20 cm (0.2 m).
The swept area = pi*r (squared) = 3.14*0.2*0.2 = 0.1256 m squared.
Power available in wind is = 1/2 rho A V cubed= 0.5*1.225*5*5*5 = 9.6125 watts

from the measurements i got
torque = (load - spring bal. reading)*9.81*(radius of shaft +radius of rope)
torque (Nm) = (0.01-0.001)*9.81*0.011 = 0.00088Nm

power produced = torque *angular velocity=0.00088*31.34= 0.0304 watts

The power produced is very much lower than power available (Cp is very low). where i am going wrong,,any one please help...
 
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Your equation seems OK but...

Have a think about the expected efficiency of a turbine that has no load (or a very small load).

Work the numbers for the other data points and see what you get. I'd use a spreadsheet so you can plot some graphs later.
 

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