Simple Performance

Prediction Methods
Module 2
Momentum Theory
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
2
Overview
In this module, we will study the simplest
representation of the wind turbine as a disk
across which mass is conserved, momentum
and energy are lost.
Towards this study, we will first develop some
basic 1-D equations of motion.
Streamlines
Conservation of mass
Conservation of momentum
Conservation of energy
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
3
Continuity
Consider a stream tube, i.e. a collection of
streamlines that form a tube-like shape.
Within this tube mass can not be created or
destroyed.




The mass that enters the stream tube from the
left (e.g. at the rate of 1 kg/sec) must leave on
the right at the same rate (1 kg/sec).
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
4
Continuity
Area A
1

Density
1

Velocity V
1
Area A
2

Density
2

Velocity V
2
Rate at which mass enters=
1
A
1
V
1
Rate at which mass leaves=
2
A
2
V
2
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
5
Continuity
In compressible flow through a tube

AV= constant
In incompressible flow, does not change. Thus,

AV = constant
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
6
Continuity (Continued..)
AV = constant

If Area between streamlines
is high, the velocity is low
and vice versa.
High Velocity
Low Velocity
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
7
Continuity (Continued..)
AV = constant

If Area between streamlines
is high, the velocity is low
and vice versa.

In regions where the
streamlines squeeze together,
velocity is high.
High Velocity
Low Velocity
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
8
Venturi Tube is a Device
for
Measuring Flow Rate
we will study later.
Low velocity
High velocity
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
9
Continuity
Station 1
Density
1

Velocity V
1

Area A
1
Station 2
Density
2

Velocity V
2

Area A
2
Mass Flow Rate In = Mass Flow Rate Out

1
V
1
A
1
=

2
V
2
A
2

L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
10
Momentum Equation (Contd..)
Density
velocity V
Area =A

Density +d
velocity V+dV
Area =A+dA

Momentum rate in=
Mass flow rate times velocity
= V
2
A
Momentum Rate out=
Mass flow rate times velocity
= VA (V+dV)
Rate of change of momentum within this element =
Momentum rate out - Momentum rate in
= VA (V+dV) - V
2
A = VA dV
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
11
Momentum Equation (Contd..)
Density
velocity V
Area =A

Density +d
velocity V+dV
Area =A+dA

Rate of change of momentum as fluid particles
flow through this element= VA dV

By Newtons law, this momentum change must be caused by
forces acting on this stream tube.
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
12
Forces acting on the Control
Volume
Surface Forces
Pressure forces which act normal to the surface
Viscous forces which may act normal and tangential
to control volume surfaces
Body forces
These affect every particle within the control volume.
E.g. gravity, electrical and magnetic forces
Body forces are neglected in our work, but these may
be significant in hydraulic applications (e.g. water
turbines)
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
13
Forces acting on the Stream tube
Pressure
times
area=pA
(p+dp)(A+dA)
Horizontal Force = Pressure times area of the ring=(p+dp/2)dA
Area of this ring = dA
Net force = pA + (p+dp/2)dA-(p+dp)(A+dA)=- Adp - dp dA/2~-Adp
Product of two
small numbers
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
14
Momentum Equation
From the previous slides,

Rate of change of momentum when fluid particles flow
through the stream tube = AVdV

Forces acting on the stream tube = -Adp
We have neglected all other forces - viscous, gravity, electrical
and magnetic forces.
Equating the two factors, we get: VdV+dp=0

This equation is called the Eulers Equation
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
15
Bernoullis Equation
Euler equation: VdV + dp = 0

For incompressible flows, this equation may be integrated:


Const p V
Or
dp VdV
= +
= +
} }
2
2
1
,
0

Kinetic Energy + Pressure Energy = Constant

Bernoullis
Equation
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
16
Actuator Disk Theory: Background
Developed for marine propellers by Rankine
(1865), Froude (1885).
Used in propellers by Betz (1920)
This theory can give a first order estimate of
HAWT performance, and the maximum power
that can be extracted from a given wind turbine
at a given wind speed.
This theory may also be used with minor
changes for helicopter rotors, propellers, etc.
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
17
Assumptions
Momentum theory concerns itself with the
global balance of mass, momentum, and
energy.
It does not concern itself with details of the
flow around the blades.
It gives a good representation of what is
happening far away from the rotor.
This theory makes a number of simplifying
assumptions.
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
18
Assumptions (Continued)
Rotor is modeled as an actuator disk
which adds momentum and energy to the
flow.
Flow is incompressible.
Flow is steady, inviscid, irrotational.
Flow is one-dimensional, and uniform
through the rotor disk, and in the far wake.
There is no swirl in the wake.
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
19
Control Volume
V
Disk area is A
Total area S
Station1
Station 2
Station 3
Station 4
V- v
2
V-v
3
Stream tube area is A
4
Velocity is V-v
4
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
20
Conservation of Mass
( )
4 4
1
4 4 4
A v
bottom at the Outflow top at the Inflow
m side he through t Ouflow
)A v (V A - S V bottom he through t Outflow
VS top he through t Inflow
=
=
=
+ =
=

L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
21
Conservation of Mass through the
Rotor Disk
( ) ( )
( )
4 4
3 2
v
v v
=
= =
V A
V A V A m

Thus v
2
=v
3
=v

There is no velocity jump across the rotor disk
The quantity v is called velocity deficit at the rotor disk
V-v
2
V-v
3

L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
22
Global Conservation of Momentum
( ) ( )
4 4 4 4
4
2
4
2
4
4 4
1
2
v v ) v ( A D
out Rate Momentum
- in rate Momentum D , rotor on the Drag
. boundaries field far the
all on c atmospheri is Pressure
v A - S
bottom through outflow Momentum
v A
V m side he through t outflow Momentum
V op through t inflow Momentum
m V
A V V
V
S

= =
=
+
=
=
=
=

Mass flow rate through the rotor disk times

velocity loss between stations 1 and 4
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
23
Conservation of Momentum at the
Rotor Disk
V-v
V-v
p
2
p
3
Due to conservation of mass across the
Rotor disk, there is no velocity jump.

Momentum inflow rate = Momentum outflow rate

Thus, drag D = A(p
2
-p
3
)
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
24
Conservation of Energy
Consider a particle that traverses from station 1 to
station 4

We can apply Bernoulli equation between
Stations 1 and 2, and between stations 3 and 4.
Not between 2 and 3, since energy is being removed by
body forces.
Recall assumptions that the flow is steady, irrotational,
inviscid.
1
2
3
4
V-v
V-v
4
( )
( ) ( )
4
4
3 2
2
4
2
3
2
2
2
v
2
v
v
2
1
v
2
1
2
1
v
2
1
|
.
|

\
|
=
+ = +
+ = +

V p p
V p V p
V p V p

L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
25
( )
4
4
3 2
4
4
2 3
v
2
v
v
2
v
, slide previous the From
|
.
|

\
|
= =
|
.
|

\
|
=
V A p p A D
V p p

From an earlier slide, drag equals mass flow rate through the
rotor disk times velocity deficit between stations 1 and 4
( )
4
v v = V A D
Thus, v = v
4
/2
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
26
Induced Velocities
V
V-v
V-2v
The velocity deficit in the
Far wake is twice the deficit
Velocity at the rotor disk.


To accommodate this excess
Velocity, the stream tube
has to expand.
L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
27
Power Produced by the Rotor
( )
( )
( )
( ) | |
limit. Betz called is This
power. into converted be may energy inflowing the of 16/27 only best at Thus
27
16
2
1
Pmax
1/3 a : result get the We
0
a
P
set
value, maximum its reaches power when determine To
v/V a where,
1 4
2
V
A
v v
1 4
2
V
A v v 2
v v 2
2v V
2
1
V
2
1
out flow Energy - in flow Energy
3
2
2
2
2
2
2 2
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
=
c
c
=
=
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
= =
=
=
=
AV
a a
V V
V A
V m
m m
P

L. Sankar
Wind Engineering, 2009
28
Summary
According to momentum theory, the velocity
deficit in the far wake is twice the velocity deficit
at the rotor disk.
Momentum theory gives an expression for
velocity deficit at the rotor disk.
It also gives an expression for maximum power
produced by a rotor of specified dimensions.
Actual power produced will be lower, because
momentum theory neglected many sources of
losses- viscous effects, tip losses, swirl, non-
uniform flows, etc.
We will add these later.