MODELING AND AUTOMATION OF A AERODYNAMIC CHANNEL FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF VERTICAL WIND TURBINES USING A NEW FOUCAULT BRAKE LAYOUT
The experimental study in engineering allows validating models and analyzing complex phenomena. In this sense, the assembly of an experimental apparatus is essential and involves the application of various engineering techniques and a deep knowledge of what one wants to study experimentally. Because there are no high predictive analytical models, the study of Savonius vertical axis turbines is based on a numerical and experimental approach. The use of aerodynamic channels in studies of Savoniustype vertical axis turbines allows the acquisition of turbine dynamics data capable of validating theoretical studies or even showing phenomena that are difficult to model. The present work consists of controlling and automating an aerodynamic channel to carry out experimental tests on Savonius-type wind microturbines. For this, models of the dynamics of the turbine, the braking device and the wind generation system of the aerodynamic channel were built, available at the Laboratory of Renewable Energies at UFABC. These, when compiled, allowed the construction of a controller capable of operating turbines at different operating points in a stable way, making it possible to apply mechanical loads to verify aerodynamic parameters. As a result of channel automation and control, it was possible to obtain results from the turbine start-up dynamics, model this phenomenon and validate it with the results presented in the literature.