Methods of determining natural frequencies of the D76D88, B76D88, A86E93, C86G90, C86L90 and C125L89 turbine wheel designs for various environmental conditions were investigated by application of Finite Element Analysis and beam theory. Modelling and simulation methods were developed ; the first method composed of 15 finite element simulations ; the second composed of 15 finite element simulations and a set of experimental frequency survey results; the third composed of 5 simulations , an incorporated mathematical model and a set of experimental frequency survey results. Each of these methods was designed to allow prediction of resonant frequency changes across a range of exhaust gas temperature and shaft rotational speed. For the new modelling and simulation methods, an analysis template and a plotting tool were developed using Microsoft Excel and MATLAB software. A graph showing a frequency-temperature-speed variations and a Campbell Diagram that incorporates material stiffening and softening effects across a range of rotational speeds was designed, and applied to the D76D88, B76D88, A86E93, C86G90, C86L90 and C125L89 turbine wheel designs. New design methodologies for turbine wheels were formulated and validated, showing a good agreement with a range of data points from frequency survey, strain-gauge telemetry and laser tip-timing test results. The results from the new design method were compared with existing single compensation factor methodology, and showed a great improvement in accuracy of prediction of modal vibration. A new nomenclature for the mode shapes of a turbocharger’s blade was proposed, designed and demonstrated to allow direct identification of associated mode shape. It is concluded that Finite Element Analysis combined with the frequency survey is capable of predicting changes in turbine natural frequencies and, when incorporated into the existing turbine design methodology, resulted in a major improvement in the accuracy of the predictions of vibration frequency. / Additional data files have been restricted by request.

En ökad energianvändning, tillsammans med utbyggnaden av vindkraft, förväntas leda till ökade avfallsmängder från uttjänta vindturbinblad och krav på en hållbar hantering över hela värdekedjan. Komplexiteten i materialen som används i vindturbinbladen försvårar återvinningen, vilket leder till att majoriteten av bladen hamnar på deponi med både miljöföroreningar och resursförluster som resultat. Studien syftar till att undersöka möjligheterna och utmaningarna med återanvändning av vindturbinblad till olika tillämpningsområden genom att utvärdera befintlig forskning samt genomförda och potentiella projekt, med fokus på miljömässiga, tekniska och ekonomiska aspekter. Data samlades in genom både kvantitativa och kvalitativa metoder, vilket omfattar litteraturstudier och semistrukturerade intervjuer med relevanta aktörer inom vindkrafts- och återvinningsindustrin. Metoden innefattar även en SWOT-analys och en fallstudie som undersöker återanvändning av vindturbinblad i Umeå kommun, inklusive en undersökning av kommunens marknadsbehov samt vilka möjligheter och utmaningar potentiella aktörer ser kring återanvändningsprocessen. De sammanlagda resultaten från litteraturstudie, intervjuer och SWOT-analys visar på flera tekniska, ekonomiska och miljömässiga möjligheter med återanvändning av vindturbinblad, inklusive möjligheten att potentiellt minska både materialkostnader och växthusgasutsläpp jämfört med alternativen förbränning eller deponering. Flertalet utmaningar identifierades, inklusive utmaningar kring nedmontering, transport, testning av materialets styrka samt brist på information kring materialets innehåll. Även ekonomiska och logistiska hinder kring ansvar hos tillverkare och verksamhetsutövare samt bristen på samarbete för att skapa en effektiv värdekedja konstaterades. Resultatet lyfter betydelsen av samarbete mellan aktörer, tillverkare och avfallshanterare som avgörande för att skapa effektiva lösningar och möjliggöra återanvändning av vindturbinblad. Fallstudien av Umeå kommuns marknadsbehov visar att återanvändning av vindturbinblad skulle kunna täcka en betydande del av kommunens behov för lekplatser, gångbroar och stadsmöbler och samtidigt bidra till en besparing av koldioxidutsläpp. Trots ekonomiska, tekniska och logistiska utmaningar kring nedmontering, bearbetning och transport, ser potentiella aktörer skapande av hållbara affärsmodeller och teknisk kapacitet som positiva möjligheter. Studien bidrar till ökad förståelse och kunskap kring möjligheter och utmaningar med återanvändning av vindturbinblad, vilket är avgörande för att effektivisera processen för nuvarande och framtida aktörer inom branschen. Det är särskilt relevant utifrån de förväntade avfallsmängderna i framtiden och behovet av en effektiv värdekedja. / An increased use of energy, coupled with the expansion of wind power, is expected to lead to increased amounts of waste from end-of-life wind turbine blades and demands for sustainable management across the entire value chain. The complexity of the materials used in wind turbine blades makes recycling difficult, which leads to the majority of blades ending up in landfills with both environmental pollution and resource losses as a result. The study aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges of repurposing wind turbine blades for various application areas by evaluating existing research as well as completed and potential projects, with a focus on environmental, technical and economic aspects. Data was collected through both quantitative and qualitative methods, including literature studies and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders in the wind power and recycling industry. The method also includes a SWOT analysis and a case study that investigates repurposing of wind turbine blades in the municipality of Umeå, including an investigation of the municipality's market needs as well as what opportunities and challenges potential stakeholders see in the repurposing process. The combined results from literature studies, interviews and SWOT analysis shows several technical, economic and environmental opportunities with repurposing of wind turbine blades, including the possibility of potentially reducing both material costs and greenhouse gas emissions compared to the alternatives of incineration or landfilling. Several challenges were identified, including challenges around disassembly, transport, testing the material's strength and lack of information about the material's content. Financial and logistical obstacles regarding the responsibility of manufacturers and operators as well as the lack of cooperation to create an efficient value chain were also found. The result highlights the importance of cooperation between stakeholders, manufacturers and waste handlers as crucial to creating effective solutions and enabling the reuse of wind turbine blades. The case study of Umeå municipality's market needs shows that reuse of wind turbine blades could cover a significant part of the municipality's needs for playgrounds, pedestrian bridges and urban furniture and at the same time contribute to saving carbon dioxide emissions. Despite financial, technical and logistical challenges surrounding dismantling, processing and transport, potential stakeholders see the creation of sustainable business models and technical capabilities as positive opportunities. The study contributes to increased understanding and knowledge about opportunities and challenges with the reuse of wind turbine blades, which is crucial for streamlining the process for current and future stakeholders in the industry. It is particularly relevant based on the expected amounts of waste in the future and the need for an efficient value chain.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sedimentation and the effects it has on turbine blades was the primary problem identified in run-of-river (RoR) hydropower schemes. Sedimentation in RoR hydropower schemes also increases trash rack blockage and reduces energy output in the long-term. Damage occurs to all underwater parts that come into contact with sediment. The main concern is sediment passing through the hydropower intake and causing turbine damage. The reason for the abrasion and cavitation of turbine blades is increased sediment loads in river channels. This problem can be overcome in two ways. The first is the use of existing lakes or reservoir storage upstream as natural sand traps, and the second is by investigating the three features associated with river bend diversion, which are: the optimum diversion location in a river bend to minimise the abstraction of sediment, the optimum diversion structure angle to limit coarse sediment diversion, and the sediment load diverted through the intake. The first objective of the research was investigated by construction of a physical model of a curved river channel to determine the location of the deepest scour forming on the outside of the bend. The second objective was to test the diversion orientation to maximize the local scour and thereby limiting sediment diversion at the intake. A third objective was to compare mathematical 2D model simulated scour results with the findings of the laboratory tests to evaluate the reliability of the numerical model predictions. Finally different diverted discharge ratios were tested with different intake setups in the physical model, to evaluate the sediment load diverted. . The first experiment in the curved laboratory channel was to predict where the deepest scour takes place without a diversion structure. This was then followed by placing a diversion structure at the maximum scour position, retrieved from experiment one, and by angling the structure with reference to the flow direction. The flow direction vector was placed as a tangent to the bend and orientated at angles of 0⁰, 30⁰, 45⁰ and 60⁰ into the bend direction. The optimum diversion location was found to be positioned on the outside of the bend, approximately 60⁰ into the channel bend. The final position of maximum scour in a 90⁰ bend corresponds with the Sediment Committee and the Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Societies (1992) prediction of 60⁰ into the bend. The optimal diversion had a 30⁰ angle to the flow direction, as this presented the most efficient and effective scouring in front of the model intake. Numerical simulations were performed with the CCHE 2D (hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics) modelling program. The numerical results were compared to the physical results to validate CCHE as a beneficial simulation tool. It was found that the numerical model predicted the scour depths at the intakes tested with an accuracy of 43.8%, which is within the accuracy range of the sediment transport equation used by the numerical model. The final experiment was the diversion of sediment with different intake level heights and discharges. It was evident from the results that low sediment diversion ratios were achieved with a diverted discharge ratio of 50% or less. The intake elevation highest above the channel bed diverted the least sediment. The interrelationship between Diverted Discharge Ratio (DDR), Diverted Froude number Ratio (DFrR) and Diverted Sediment load Ratio (SDR) was established in the study. It is recommended that RoR schemes have sand traps downstream of the diversion structures and that turbines are coated with HVOF to overcome the power loss arising due to the excessive erosion of hydro turbines. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedimentasie en die invloed wat dit het op turbines was die primêre probleem geïdentifiseer in “run-of-river” (RoR) hidrokrag-skemas. Die sediment wat saam met die water uit ‟n rivier uitgekeer word beskadig die inlaatrooster en verlaag kragopwekking in die langtermyn. Skade word aangerig aan alle onderwatertoerusting en masjinerie wat aan sediment blootgestel word. Die grootste probleem tydens die uitkering van water is die growwe sediment wat daarmee deur die onttrekking inlaat gaan en turbineskade veroorsaak. Soos wat die sedimentlading in die rivier drasties toeneem, sal afslyting en kavitasie van turbinelemme meer gereeld voorkom. Dié probleem kan op twee maniere beperk word. Die een is die gebruik van bestaande opgaardamme stroomop, en die tweede is deur die ondersoek van drie kenmerke van rivierdraaie en uitkeringstrukture, bv. die optimale uitskurings posisie in 'n rivierdraai (sonder ʼn struktuur) om die diepste uitskuringposisie op die buitekant van die draai te bepaal, die optimale uitkeringsstruktuuroriëntasie wat maksimum uitskuring verseker en die sediment uitkering beperk, en die lading van sedimentonttrekking deur die inlaat. Die eerste doelwit van die navorsing is ondersoek deur ʼn fisiese model te bou van ʼn kronkelkanaal en te bepaal waar die diepste uitskring plaasvind op die buitekant van die draai. Die tweede doelwit van die studie was om die optimale uitkeringshoek te bepaal vir 'n uitkeringstruktuur sodat die uitskuring by die inlaat ʼn maksimum is om die uitkering van sediment te beperk. ʼn Derde doelwit was om die akkuraatheid van ʼn wiskundige model se uitskuring voorspelling te toets teen die waargenome laboratorium resultate. Die finale doelwit was om vir verskillende inlaatontwerpe, rivier- en uitkeervloeie die sedimentladings wat uitgekeer word te ondersoek. Die eerste eksperiment in die kronkelende kanaal was voorberei om die optimale uitskuring in die draai te bepaal. Dit is gevolg deur toetse met uitkeerstrukture by die maksimum uitskurings posisie te plaas en die hoek van die struktuur dan te verander met verwysing na die vloeirigting. Die vloeirigting vektor was as 'n raaklyn geplaas op die kanaal draai en georiënteer met hoeke: 0⁰, 30⁰, 45⁰ en 60⁰, in die rigting van die draai. Die optimale uitskurings posisie was aan die buiterand van die kanaal draai gevind, ongeveer 60⁰ in die draai in. Die maksimum uitskuur posisie van 'n 90⁰ kanaal draai stem ooreen met SC en CHES (1992) se resultaat van 60⁰ in die draai in. Daar was ook genoegsame bewyse dat 'n optimale uitkeerwerke oriëntasie van 30⁰ die doeltreffendste en effektiefste uitskuring sal gee. Numeriese simulasies is deur middel van 'n twee dimensionele wiskundige model CCHE 2D (hidro- en sedimentdinamika) uitgevoer. Die numeriese resultate was vergelyk met die laboratoriumresultate om die CCHE program te verifieer as 'n voordelige simulasie program. Daar is gevind dat die wiskundige model die uitskuurdieptes by die inlate met ʼn akkuraatheid van 43.8 % voorspel, wat binne die akkuraatheid is van die sedimentvervoervergelyking wat deur die numeriese model gebruik word. Die finale eksperiment was die uitkering van sediment met verskillende inlaathoogtes en uitkerings sedimentladings. Uit die toetse was dit duidelik dat 'n lae sediment uitkeerverhouding behaal kan word met 'n uitkeerverhouding van 50% en minder. Verdere waarnemings het ook gewys dat die inlaathoogte van die uitkeerstruktuur met die optimale resultate die hoogste bokant die rivierbedding was. Die verwantskap tussen die uitgekeerde deurstromingverhouding, die uitgekeerde Froude getal verhouding en die uitgekeerde sedimentlading is bepaal in die navorsing. Dit word aanbeveel dat sandvangkanale stroomaf van uitkeerwerke geplaas word en dat turbines met HVOF as bedekkingsmateriaal beskerm word om kragverliese as gevolg van buitensporige erosie van die turbines te voorkom.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:07:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MaxdavidOC_DISSERT.pdf: 4786704 bytes, checksum: 3c7952fbe7ed29e1b8d03e70a62dab6c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-30 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / The research and development of wind turbine blades are essential to keep pace with worldwide growth in the renewable energy sector. Although currently blades are typically produced using glass fiber reinforced composite materials, the tendency for larger size blades, particularly for offshore applications, has increased the interest on carbon fiber reinforced composites because of the potential for increased stiffness and weight reduction. In this study a model of blade designed for large generators (5 MW) was studied on a small scale. A numerical simulation was performed to determine the aerodynamic loading using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. Two blades were then designed and manufactured using epoxy matrix composites: one reinforced with glass fibers and the other with carbon fibers. For the structural calculations, maximum stress failure criterion was adopted. The blades were manufactured by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), typical for this type of component. A weight comparison of the two blades was performed and the weight of the carbon fiber blade was approximately 45% of the weight of the fiberglass reinforced blade. Static bending tests were carried out on the blades for various percentages of the design load and deflections measurements were compared with the values obtained from finite element simulations. A good agreement was observed between the measured and calculated deflections. In summary, the results of this study confirm that the low density combined with high mechanical properties of carbon fibers are particularly attractive for the production of large size wind turbine blades / A pesquisa e desenvolvimento de p?s de aerogeradores s?o fundamentais para acompanhar o crescimento no setor de energias renov?veis em todo mundo. Apesar das p?s atualmente serem produzidas tipicamente com materiais comp?sitos refor?ados com fibras de vidro, a tend?ncia de aumento no tamanho das p?s, especialmente no setor offshore, cresce tamb?m o interesse por materiais comp?sitos refor?ados com fibras de carbono, devido ?s suas propriedades, como elevado m?dulo de elasticidade combinado com baixa densidade. Nesse trabalho um modelo de p? desenvolvido para geradores de grande porte (5 MW) foi estudado em escala reduzida. Foram realizados estudos num?ricos empregando t?cnicas de Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) para determinar o carregamento aerodin?mico na p?. Foram projetadas e fabricadas duas p?s com materiais comp?sitos de matriz ep?xi, sendo uma p? com refor?o de fibras de vidro e outra com fibras de carbono. Para os c?lculos estruturais, foi adotado o crit?rio de falha por tens?o m?xima. As p?s foram fabricadas pelo processo de Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), t?pico para este tipo de componente. Uma compara??o do peso das duas p?s foi realizada, e a p? de fibra de carbono apresentou 45% do peso da p? de fibra de vidro. Ensaios est?ticos de flex?o foram realizados nas p?s para v?rios percentuais do carregamento de projeto e as deflex?es medidas foram comparadas com os valores obtidos nas simula??es num?ricas por elementos finitos. Uma boa concord?ncia foi observada entre os valores de deflex?o medidos e calculados. Em resumo, os resultados obtidos neste trabalho confirmam que a baixa densidade combinada com elevadas propriedades mec?nicas das fibras de carbono s?o atrativas para a produ??o de p?s de aerogeradores de grande porte

Asymmetric bending is explored as a means of inducing bend-twist coupling in an isotropic, fixed-wing airfoil. An analytical model describing the bend-twist coupling behavior of a constant-section airfoil undergoing steady wind loading is derived from Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, and evaluated over a range of structural and material stiffness. Finite element analysis is carried out in the ANSYS Parametric Design Language environment for an asymmetric, two-dimensional beam. Three-dimensional finite element analysis is carried out for two candidate blade models created in Pro/Engineer based on the NACA 64618 airfoil. Deformation results for the two- and three-dimensional finite element models are compared with analytical solutions. Results of this investigation highlight the dependency between the cross-sectional properties of a spar support and its tendency to exhibit twist-coupling under transverse loading.

No description available.

Renewable energy production with wind turbines has been rising in the last 30 years and it is a crucial technology, which is necessary for the energy transition. As sustainable as the energy production of wind turbines is, the waste management of the blade material is not. Most of the blades end up on a landfill or get incinerated. There are different types of recycling methods, but the most commonly used is to shred the fibers into little pieces and reusing them for filler material in the concrete industry. This approach does not actually split up the blade material into its components but it is more of a downcycling. In this thesis, a new type of pyrolysis will be looked into, which splits up the blade material into its components namely glass fibers and plastic using molten salt. This process would make the glass fiber industry more sustainable by introducing a recycled glass fiber with minimal loss in quality. In a first step, the blade material will be examined more closely with a thermogravimetric analysis to find out what kind of plastic it is and what temperature would be necessary to pyrolyze it. This information will be used to conduct an experiment in a molten salt solution and determine the necessary reaction time and temperature. This data will be used to compare the costs of this method with shredding the material and the conventional pyrolysis. From the thermogravimetric analysis, it was possible to determine that the type of plastic used in this turbine was made out of epoxy. The maximum degredation of this material occurred at 380 ◦C. Not many experiments could be conducted in order to find the optimal conditions for the pyrolysis process due to difficulties with the furnace. Nevertheless, one sample was successfully pyrolyzed at a temperature of 400 ◦C with a residence time of 15 minutes. With the current market conditions in the recycled glass fibers industry, this product would be too expensive and the demand would be too little. However, the market is expected to grow in the next couple years due to rising interests in circular economy and governments introducing regulations. Nevertheless, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of the molten salt pyrolysis in order to be applicable to a bigger scale. More experiments should be conducted with cheaper molten salt in order to sink the costs of the process.

Airplane wings, turbine blades and other structures subjected to air or water flows, can undergo motions depending on their flexibility. As such, the performance of these systems depends strongly on their geometry and material properties. Of particular importance is the contribution of different nonlinear aspects. These aspects can be of two types: aerodynamic and structural. Examples of aerodynamic aspects include but are not lomited to flow separation and wake effects. Examples of structural aspects include but not limited to large deformations (geometric nonlinearities), concentrated masses or elements (inertial nonlinearities) and freeplay. In some systems, and depending on the parameters, the nonlinearities can cause multiple solutions. Determining the effects of nonlinearities of an aeroelastic system on its response is crucial. In this dissertation, different aeroelastic configurations where nonlinear aspects may have significant effects on their performance are considered. These configurations include: the effects of the wake on the flutter speed of a wing placed under different angles of attack, the impacts of the wing rotation as well as the aerodynamic and structural nonlinearities on the flutter speed of a rotating blade, and the effects of the recently proposed nonlinear energy sink on the flutter and ensuing limit cycle oscillations of airfoils and wings. For the modeling and analysis of these systems, we use models with different levels of fidelity as required to achieve the stated goals. We also use nonlinear dynamic analysis tools such as the normal form to determine specific effects of nonlinearities on the type of instability. / Ph. D.

The reliability of modern gas turbine engines is largely due to careful damage tolerant design a method of structural design based on the assumption that flaws (cracks) exist in any structure and will continue to grow with usage. With proper monitoring, largely in the form of periodic inspections at conservative intervals reliability and safety is maintained. These methods while reliable can lead to the early retirement of some components and unforeseen failure if design assumptions fail to reflect reality. With improvements to sensor and computing technology there is a growing interest in a system that could continuously monitor the health of structural aircraft as well as forecast future damage accumulation in real-time. Through the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical modeling the initial goals and findings for this continued work include: (a) establishing measurable parameters directly linked to the health of the blade and (b) the feasibility of detecting accumulated damage to the structural material and thermal barrier coating as well as the onset of damage causing structural failure.

The reliability of modern gas turbine engines is largely due to careful damage tolerant design a method of structural design based on the assumption that flaws (cracks) exist in any structure and will continue to grow with usage. With proper monitoring, largely in the form of periodic inspections at conservative intervals reliability and safety is maintained. These methods while reliable can lead to the early retirement of some components and unforeseen failure if design assumptions fail to reflect reality. With improvements to sensor and computing technology there is a growing interest in a system that could continuously monitor the health of structural aircraft as well as forecast future damage accumulation in real-time. Through the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical modeling the initial goals and findings for this continued work include: (a) establishing measurable parameters directly linked to the health of the blade and (b) the feasibility of detecting accumulated damage to the structural material and thermal barrier coating as well as the onset of damage causing structural failure.