Darrieus wind turbine analysis - Single streamtube model Page 1 of 2

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Single streamtube model for Darrieus rotor

The single streamtube model is very different from the multiple streamtube model in term of
the calculation method (or equations) and the velocity field. The multiple streamtube
assumed a very simple one-direction velocity field (i.e. velocity varies in 2 axis) in the rotor
but the single streamtube model is even simpler as the velocity field is replaced by only a
single velocity value. Weird enough, the resulting power coefficient curve does not seems
to differ too much except that single streamtube seem to over predict slightly.

In single streamtube model, the flow through the rotor is modeled using one single
streamtube only as its name imply. The streamtube cross-section area (swept area)
remains constant and follows a straight path just like the multiple streamtubes model. The
wind speed decrease from upstream velocity, U to velocity at rotor, U’ and finally settle
down at far downstream velocity. The velocity remains constant like previous model when
moving though the circular blade path.

The only streamtube experiences aerodynamics forces all the time as opposed to pulses of
forces in multiple streamtube. The variation of aerodynamic forces are large in the whole
revolution from 0 to 360 degree, so the single tube model has to sum up all the forces at
various position to average the value off before equating it to the wind momentum loss rate.

file:///E:/0HOME_TRI/htmldarrieus/analyse-singletube.htm 4/12/2019
Darrieus wind turbine analysis - Single streamtube model Page 2 of 2

Similarly, the induction factor for single streamtube model also has to be solved numerically
by root finding algorithm but for one single value only. However, to find the first thrust
coefficient (derived from aerodynamic force), the value of the normalized velocity, angle of
attack, lift, drag, normal, and tangent coefficient for a set of predetermined blade position
(theta) which cover the whole revolution have to be obtained first before the summation and
averaging is carried using the above equation. So, even though only one value of induction
factor is needed, the number of loop seems to remain at 2 roughly. Once the induction
factor for the single streamtube is found, the torque and power coefficients can be
calculated using the same previous set of equations.

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Last updated at November 6, 2002
Comments are welcomed

file:///E:/0HOME_TRI/htmldarrieus/analyse-singletube.htm 4/12/2019