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Nondimensional Parameters' Effects on Hybrid Darrieus- Savonius Wind

Turbine Performance

Article  in  Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Transactions of the ASME · September 2019

DOI: 10.1115/1.4044517

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Armin Roshan
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad,
Mashhad, Khorasan-e Razavi 9615676616,
Islamic Republic of Iran
e-mail: Roshan@mail.um.ac.ir
Amir Sagharichi
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad,
Mashhad, Khorasan-e Razavi 9177948974,
Islamic Republic of Iran
e-mail: amir.sagharichi@mail.um.ac.ir
Mohammad Javad
Maghrebi1
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad,
Mashhad, Khorasan-e Razavi 9177948974,
Islamic Republic of Iran
e-mail: mjmaghrebi@um.ac.ir
Nondimensional Parameters’
Effects on Hybrid Darrieus–
Savonius Wind Turbine
Performance
Vertical axial wind turbines are the most commonly used turbines in residential and urban
areas. This paper investigates the effect of combining Darrieus and Savonius wind turbines
on power output and introduces a wind turbine with high starting torque addition to the
wide working domain. A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics transient simula-
tion is developed, and a moving mesh is implemented for rotating moving parts. Compre-
hensive research has been carried out to investigate the effects of the initial overlap ratio
(ɛ), arc angle Ø, and curvature (α) of Savonius blades on the performance of the turbine
and 18 models are simulated at seven tip speed ratios. The results showed that combining
the Darrieus turbine with the Savonius turbine has a favorable effect on self-starting per-
formance. Also, it was observed that by changing each of the parameters, the primary
model performance could be significantly improved. Finally, it is concluded that ɛ = 0.25,
α = 0.25, and ∅ = 150 deg are the optimum values of the parameters which increase
turbine power output compared to conventional vertical-axis turbines.
[DOI: 10.1115/1.4044517]

Keywords: hybrid wind turbine, self-starting, computational fluid dynamics, arc angle,
performance improvement, renewable energy

1 Introduction the performance of vertical-axis wind turbines. Saha and Rajik-

Kumar [6] studied a Darrieus wind turbine with twisted blades in
Today, countries in the world need enough resources to produce
front of a low-speed wind tunnel. They observed that this type of
sustainable energy for sustainable growth. Considering the sudden
turbine has more efficiency and self-starting capacity compared to
reduction of fossil fuels as conventional energy sources, rising
the conventional Darrieus turbine with straight blades. Amiri
prices, and their devastating impact on the environment, the
et al. [7] examined the effect of primary and secondary coexistences
demand for durable and reliable energy sources has steadily
on the performance of the Savonius turbine in both numerical and
increased. Therefore, the effort to develop renewable energy
experimental methods. The authors reported that the maximum
sources such as wind energy seems necessary [1,2].
power coefficient occurs in the overlap value of 0.2. Furthermore,
Based on the axis of rotation, wind turbines are categorized into
they observed that by increasing the favorable secondary ratio,
horizontal- and vertical-axis wind turbines. Horizontal axial wind
the torque coefficient would be improved and the negative
turbines (HAWTs) have higher efficiency and better self-starting
overlap reduces the torque coefficient.
ability than vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT). The major disad-
Takao et al. [8] investigated the effect of guide vanes on the per-
vantage of HAWT is its strong dependence on the wind direction. In
formance of a straight-bladed Darrieus in an open-jet wind tunnel.
other words, HAWTs need a complicated mechanism called YAW
They observed that the guide vanes have a favorable impact on
(system which is responsible to rotate the nacelle around the tower
turbine performance, and the maximum power coefficient reported
axis) to be aligned in the wind direction. On the other hand,
was 0.205, which is 1.8 times more than that of conventional cases.
vertical-axis wind turbines are not sensitive to the wind direction,
McLaren et al. [9] examined the effect of positive and negative pitch
and they can rotate with different wind directions. This great
angles on the performance of the Darrieus wind turbine. They
feature makes this turbine attractive to use in urban areas, where
observed that the negative angles increase turbine performance by
the wind direction is continuously changing. Also, less noise pro-
more than 29%, while the positive pitch angle causes a 47% reduc-
duction and maintenance cost compared to the horizontal-axis
tion in turbine performance.
wind turbine are other significant advantages that have helped the
Sagharichi et al. [10] used the variable pitch method to improve
development of vertical-axis turbines [1,3]. Vertical axial turbines
the self-starting condition of the Darrieus wind turbine at the low tip
are divided into two main groups as Darrieus and Savonius wind
speed ratios (a ratio between the tangential speed of the tip of a
turbines. This turbine consists of at least two semicircular blades,
blade and the actual speed of the wind). The authors verified numer-
and drag is the dominant force all over the rotation [1–4].
ically that the variable pitch blade method improves the perfor-
The fundamental problem of the Darrieus wind turbine is its self-
mance of the turbine at low-tip speed ratios. Beri and Yao [11]
starting inability. Unlike the Savonius turbine, the Darrieus type is
studied the effect of airfoil curvature on turbine performance
not able to produce enough torque to self-start [5]. Many experi-
using numerical simulation. They simulated an H-type three-blade
mental and numerical studies have been carried out to improve
turbine with NACA 2415 airfoils and showed that the curve,
despite the decrease in the maximum power coefficient compared
to the turbine with the symmetrical airfoil, has a desirable effect
1
Corresponding author. on self-starting performance. Mohammad [12] carried out different
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in methods to improve the self-starting performance of a VAWT
the JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received June 26, 2019;
final manuscript received August 7, 2019; published online August 30, 2019. Assoc. turbine. He experimentally and numerically examined the effect
Editor: Dr. Ryo Amano. of solidity on the aerodynamic performance of the turbine and

Journal of Energy Resources Technology Copyright © 2019 by ASME JANUARY 2020, Vol. 142 / 011202-1
concluded that increasing solidity improves the self-starting of a 3 Simulation Methodology
turbine while shifts the maximum power coefficient to lower tip
3.1 Solver Settings. In this study, a transient 2D hybrid
speed ratios (TSRs). One of the most effective methods is to
VAWT was simulated and analyzed using ANSYS FLUENT 16 com-
combine Savonius with Darrieus turbines to get the advantages of
mercial software. The free-stream velocity for simulation is set to
both in the form of a hybrid turbine. In other words, the hybrid
be 7 m/s. Due to the low input velocity, the wind flow is assumed to
model can produce more torque for self-starting compared to a Dar-
be incompressible. Therefore, the pressure-based solver is chosen
rieus turbine. Many studies have been conducted to improve the
for the simulation. Lanzafame et al. [17] compared various speed
performance of the hybrid Darrieus–Savonius wind turbine.
and pressure coupling methods in the Navier–Stokes equations.
Gupta et al. [13] experimentally studied a three-bladed Savonius
They compared Pressure-Implicit with Splitting of Operators
turbine and a hybrid Darrieus–Savonius turbine, for overlap ratios
(PISO), Simple, and Coupled algorithms, and found that the PISO
of 0.16, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, and 0.35. They showed that the maximum
algorithm works well in all TSRs for transient simulations. As a
power coefficient for the hybrid turbine and for the Savonius
consequence, the PISO algorithm is chosen to couple the speed
turbine occurs in the overlap ratio of 20%. Moreover, they estimated
and pressure equations for all simulations. Simulation accuracy
that the maximum power coefficient for the hybrid turbine is about
depends on the discretization method. Differential equations are dis-
0.51. Bhuyan and Biswas [14] conducted an experimental test on a
cretized using the finite volume method, and second-order discreti-
Darrieus wind turbine with three straight blades, with S-818 airfoils.
zation is used to solve the pressure and momentum equations.
They observed that this turbine cannot self-start itself during the
Additionally, based on Refs. [10,18], the k–ω SST model has a
rotation. However, to make the turbine fully self-starting, the Dar-
robust ability to predict flow behavior near and far from the
rieus turbine was placed in a hybrid system with a Savonius one.
blades, so as to predict the flow separation around the blades accu-
To increase the hybrid turbine performance, experiments were con-
rately, the k–ω SST turbulence model has been used to calculate the
ducted in different Reynolds numbers. Among all models, the
turbulent viscosity and adverse pressure gradients. Based on previ-
maximum power coefficient of the hybrid turbine was reported
ous research [17], the increment angle or time step rotation degree
to be 0.34. Previous research includes a partial review of the param-
has been determined at 0.5 deg for all simulations.
eters, and so far no comprehensive research has been done to
investigate the effects of all parameters affecting hybrid turbine per-
formance. They have also been limited to low tip speed ratios, but 3.2 Computational Domain and Boundary Conditions. To
this paper examines the performance of the hybrid turbine at high simulate the two-dimensional wind turbine, the computational
TSRs, as well. In the present study, a straight-bladed Darrieus domain is divided into two: rotating and fixed regions. This domain
wind turbine is combined with a Savonius turbine, and the effect consists of a rectangular area with 14 × 20 m and a rotating circle with
of different parameters, such as arc angle of the Savonius blades a radius of 0.9 m centered at a distance of 6 m from the input.
(∅), overlap ratio (ɛ), and Savonius blade curvature (α) on the per- A wall with a non-slip condition was considered as the boundary
formance of the turbine, has been investigated. Finally, by optimiz- condition around blades. The boundary between the rotating and
ing these parameters, the best turbine configuration which can solve fixed regions is set to the interface, and the velocity inlet boundary
the self-starting inability and simultaneously extend the working condition is chosen for the inlet, while the pressure outlet boundary
domain of the turbine is introduced. condition is set for the outlet of the domain. Additionally, the sym-
metry boundary condition is considered for the lateral sides of the
domain. The computational domain and the boundary conditions
2 Description of Geometry are presented in Fig. 2.
The experimental results extracted from the study by Castelli
et al. [15] and Sheldahl et al. [16] are used for the present numerical
simulation of Darrieus and Savonius turbines, respectively. The
turbine specifications modeled in the present study are similar to
the experimental models and are presented in Table 1. In the follow-
ing, the Darrieus and the Savonius turbines are combined with the
specifications given in Table 1. This turbine consists of three-bladed
Darrieus and two-bladed Savonius. As can be seen, the Savonius
turbine is located in the center of the Darrieus turbine, and the
blades are connected to the central shaft. Finally, the results of
the hybrid model are compared with other models. All simulations
are conducted for TSRs of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5. In Fig. 1, a
Fig. 1 Schematic of the proposed hybrid model
schematic of the proposed hybrid model is depicted in three- and
two-dimensional forms.

Table 1 Darrieus and Savonius turbine specifications [15,16]

Quantity

Turbine specifications Darrieus wind turbine Savonius wind turbine

Blade profile NACA 0021 Not apply

Chord length (m) 0.0858 Not apply
Rotor diameter (m) 1.03 0.9524
Height (m) 1.45 1
Area (m2) 1.23 0.9524
Solidity 0.5 Not apply
Number of blades 3 2
Free stream velocity (m/s) 9 7
Blades overlap ratio Not apply 0.1
Fig. 2 Computational domain and boundary condition

011202-2 / Vol. 142, JANUARY 2020 Transactions of the ASME

Table 2 Grid specifications for Darrieus and Savonius turbines Consequently, to reduce the computational time, the medium reso-
lution with the specifications described in Table 2 have been used.
Darrieus turbine Savonius turbine Due to the importance of the mesh structure near the blades and
also the formation of pressure and strong velocity gradients and vor-
Total cell Airfoil Total cell Airfoil
Mesh number grids number grids tices, a well-structured boundary layer is implanted near blades
[10]. Figure 5 shows the mesh structure around the blades, fixed
Coarse 389,890 50 × 50 257,766 250 × 250 and rotating domains.
Medium 414,464 100 × 100 301,898 300 × 300
Fine 448,374 150 × 150 353,496 350 × 350
3.4 Validation. The experimental results extracted from the
study by Castelli et al. [15] and Sheldahl et al. [16] have separately
been compared with the present numerical simulation of Darrieus
3.3 Meshing. One of the most critical challenges in numerical and Savonius turbines, respectively. To ensure accuracy of the
simulations is computational time, which is directly related to mesh simulation, the results extracted from numerical simulation should
quality. To show the independence of the results from the grid res- be compared with the experimental results and, if the results are
olution and reducing computational time, a study was performed at consistent, the numerical solution would be invoked. Since the
a specific TSR for fine, medium, and coarse mesh resolutions. present work studied the performance of the hybrid turbine, the
The specifications of each model are presented in Table 2. In accuracy of each turbine should be verified independently. For
Figs. 3 and 4, the total torque coefficient of Darrieus and Savonius this reason, Figs. 6 and 7 present the average power coefficient
turbines in a revolution is given versus the azimuth angles. As can versus TSR for numerical and experimental simulations. It can be
be seen, for the medium and fine mesh grids, the results are entirely seen that the present numerical solution has an excellent capability
consistent, and the finer grids will not change the results. to predict the experimental results, and the maximum error value for
the Darrieus turbine is 12% while this value measured to be 4% for
the Savinous wind turbine. The difference in the 2D numerical
simulation and the experimental result, especially at the high
TSRs, is due to several reasons, such as ignoring the effects of tip
vortices in numerical simulation. Another reason is that the
impact of supporting rods and arms is not considered in numerical
simulation [19]. Consequently, the difference in the results, which is
mostly due to the neglect of some losses in the two-dimensional
solution can be ignored and, so the validity of the present numerical
solution method can be verified [18]. Another critical point is the
existence of criteria for ensuring the convergence of the solution
[20]. In this way, the torque coefficient curve is given in terms of
the azimuth angle (see Fig. 8). According to this figure, there is
not a convergence trend for the first rounds. After the sixth round
(between 1800 deg and 2160 deg), the graph shows a quasi-steady
trend and the torque coefficient has little difference compared to the
previous round [21]. As a result, to ensure convergence and accu-
racy of the solution, all the results are related to the sixth round.

4 Results and Discussion

Fig. 3 Effect of mesh size on the torque coefficient in the Dar-
rieus turbine
In Fig. 9, a comparison is presented between the Darrieus, Savo-
nius, and the hybrid wind turbines in terms of the power coefficient.
It can be observed that the combination of two turbines has a very
favorable effect on the power coefficient at low TSRs, and this
method improves turbine self-starting. For example, the torque
coefficient produced by the Darrieus turbine at a TSR of 0.5 is
0.0155, while this value for the hybrid turbine is 0.36, which indi-
cates an increase of more than 22 times for the torque coefficient.
As shown in the geometry of the hybrid model, due to the large
diameter of the Savonius turbine rotor and capturing more swept
area, the hybrid model is more affected by the Savonius turbine,
and this is the reason for the sharp decrease in working domain
of the hybrid turbine. Also, while the proposed hybrid model has
improved the torque and the power coefficient at TSRs of 0.5–
1.5, it has a very negative impact on the working domain. So, the
proposed hybrid turbine is not practical, and the negative impact
of the Savonius turbine at high TSRs should be reduced as much
as possible.
Therefore, the first step is to reduce the Savonius turbine rotor
diameter and to decrease the contribution of this turbine in the cap-
turing swept area. It is predictable that reducing the Savonius rotor
diameter will increase the working domain.

4.1 Reducing the Rotor Diameter of the Savonius Turbine.

Fig. 4 Effect of mesh size on the torque coefficient in the Savo- In this section, the Savonius turbine rotor diameter has been reduced
nius turbine to 0.5 m (half of the previous rotor diameter) while the rest of the

Journal of Energy Resources Technology JANUARY 2020, Vol. 142 / 011202-3

 (a)
(c)
Fig. 5 Mesh resolution around (a) fixed domain, (b) rotor, (c) Savonius blade, and (d) Darrieus blade
geometry specifications remains unchanged. Figure 10 shows a
schematic of the new model. Figure 11 also shows the power coef-
ficient in terms of TSR for the Darrieus–Savonius turbine and
the new hybrid model. The basic problem of Darrieus turbines is
low torque production at low TSRs. When the Darrieus turbine
starts its rotation at a TSR of 0.5–1.5, there is a region named dead-
band where the turbine cannot generate sufficient torque for self-
starting [15]. Since the Savonius turbine generates a higher torque
in the low TSRs due to the higher contact surface with the wind,
the hybrid model has the ability to produce the required torque
for self-starting.
Fig. 6 Validation of the present numerical model with published
experimental data
011202-4 / Vol. 142, JANUARY 2020
(b)
(d )
According to Fig. 11, up to a TSR of 1.5, the power coefficient
increases. However, since the Savonius turbine cannot rotate
faster than the wind speed, its power reaches zero at a TSR of
1.5–2. The Darrieus turbine relying on the lift force produces
power and ultimately increases the power coefficient of the
hybrid model at a TSR of 2–2.5. Due to the decreasing lift force
at a TSR of 2.5–3.5, the power coefficient of the Darrieus turbine
decreases. Also, as the speed increases, the Savonius blades
cannot rotate and act as brakes. These two factors reduce the
hybrid turbine power production at these TSRs. Furthermore,
another problem of the hybrid turbine is the reduction in the
Fig. 7 Validation of the present numerical model with published
experimental data
Transactions of the ASME

Fig. 8 Torque coefficient versus azimuth angle
maximum power coefficient. In the initial hybrid model, the
maximum power coefficient with a value of 0.165 was reduced to
about 17.5% compared to the Darrieus turbine, and this condition
can be improved by modifying the aerodynamics of the blades.
As shown in Fig. 11, optimal performance of the Darrieus turbine
occurs at a TSR of 2.5–3.5, while this region for the hybrid
turbine is between TSRs of 1.5 and –3. So, this model can increase
the working domain of the turbine. Figure 12 shows the torque coef-
ficient according to the azimuth angle at TSRs of 0.5 and 1. It is
evident that the hybrid turbine compensates the low torque produc-
tion by utilizing initial high torque production of the Savonius
turbine. The average torque coefficient for Darrieus and hybrid tur-
bines at TSR of 0.5 and 1 is 0.0155, 0.007 and 0.068, 0.088, respec-
tively. This implies an increase in the torque coefficient of the
hybrid turbine compared with the Darrieus turbine to be more
than six times at a speed ratio of 0.5 and to more than 10 times at
a TSR of 1.
4.2 Effect of Overlap of Savonius Blades on Turbine
Performance. This study investigates the effect of the overlap ɛ,
the curvature α, and arc angle of Savonius blades φ, on the perfor-
mance of the hybrid Savonius–Darrieus wind turbine. In Fig. 13, the
parameters studied in the present study are presented. Also, the
geometry specifications are shown in Table 3.
Fig. 9 Torque and power coefficient in terms of TSR for Darrieus, Savonius, and the hybrid turbine
Journal of Energy Resources Technology
Fig. 10 Schematic of hybrid turbine after reducing the rotor
diameter
In the present study, the initial overlap ratio, ɛ, is equal to e/d,
which represents the space between one pair blade edges to the dia-
meter of the blade. As depicted in Table 3, the Savonius blades of
the hybrid turbine in six different overlap ratios of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15,
0.2, 0.25, and 0.3 are simulated, and the effect of this parameter on
the performance of the hybrid turbine is compared with that of the
Darrieus turbine. In all simulated models, Darrieus turbine charac-
teristics (the number of blades, radius, and solidity) are constant,
and the solver settings remain unchanged in all cases. Figure 14
compares the power coefficient of hybrid turbines in terms of the
TSR for different overlap ratios. As expected, the increase in
the overlap ratio of Savonius blades improves the performance of
the hybrid turbine. At TSRs from 0.5 to 1.5, the hybrid turbine
has better performance in lower overlap ratios. In this interval,
the hybrid turbine model 3 with an overlap ratio of 0.05 has the
best performance. On the other hand, at higher TSRs (between
1.5 and 3.5), the increment in the overlap ratio improves turbine
performance. Consequently, reducing the overlap ratio improves
self-starting, and increasing this ratio improves the maximum
power coefficient. Since the power coefficient difference at a TSR
of 0.5–1.5 (a maximum of 30% in the ratio of tip speed 1
between models 3 and 7) is lower than that of TSR of 1.5–3.5
(more than 95% in TSR 3 between models 2 and 6), the adverse
effect of increasing the overlap ratio in the self-starting condition
can be neglected and, moreover, the significant advantage of
increasing the overlap ratio in terms of maximizing the power coef-
ficient is considered.
According to the results, hybrid model 6 with an overlap ratio of
0.25 possesses best performance. It is noteworthy that the perfor-
mance of model 7 with the overlap ratio of 0.3 is worse as compared
JANUARY 2020, Vol. 142 / 011202-5
 Fig. 11 Torque and power coefficient in terms of TSR for Darrieus, Savonius, and the new hybrid turbines

(a) (b)
Fig. 12 Torque coefficient of the Darrieus, Savonius, and the new hybrid turbines at TSR of (a) 0.5 (b) 1

Fig. 13 Parameters evaluated in this study: (a) the airfoil chord length, (b) Savonius blades curvature, (c) the arc angle of the
Savonius blades, and (d) Savonius blades overlap

with that of model 6. This suggests that the initial overlap ratio
should be adjusted to the optimal value since excess increment
leads to a reduction in turbine performance. The weakest perfor-
mance is also related to model 2 (the Savonius turbine) in which
the overlap ratio is 0. The most important advantage of hybrid
model 6 is its highly favorable effect on the maximum power coef-
ficient. Also, hybrid model 6 increases the maximum power coeffi-
cient by 28% compared to the conventional hybrid model (model
1). Figure 15 shows torque coefficient curves in terms of the
azimuth angle for a TSR of 3. At this TSR, model 1 with a
torque coefficient of 0.26 has the highest torque coefficient com-
pared to other models. Figure 16 compares the pressure field
around hybrid rotor models 1, 2, 6, and 7 at the TSR of 3. According
to the results, hybrid model 6 has the best performance at this TSR,
and the variations in the pressure field around the Darrieus wind
turbine are similar. Since the overlap ratio for the Savonius blades
is different, the pressure field around the Savonius rotor is also
different.
As can be seen, around the semicircular blade (the blade in the
opposite direction of flow), model 2 with ɛ = 0, the low-pressure

011202-6 / Vol. 142, JANUARY 2020 Transactions of the ASME

 Table 3 Various models simulated in the present study range is more extensive than the other models, and this region is
narrow in model 6 with ɛ = 0.25. The presence of this region
Hybrid model σ α φ (deg) ɛ inside the semicircular blade causes the blade to be pressurized
(rotate clockwise) and opposes the counterclockwise rotation of
1 0.5 1 180 0.1 the hybrid turbine.
2 0.5 1 180 0
3 0.5 1 180 0.05
Also, inside the semicircular blade (blade in the wind direction;
4 0.5 1 180 0.15 Figs. 16(a) and 16(b)), there is a low-pressure region, which
5 0.5 1 180 0.2 rotates the turbine in the opposite direction of the flow and ulti-
6 0.5 1 180 0.25 mately decreases the performance of these models. For models 6
7 0.5 1 180 0.3 and 7, this region is under high pressure while this region is more
8 0.5 1 140 0.1 extensive for model 6 with an overlap ratio of 0.25. The presence
9 0.5 1 150 0.1 of this high-pressure region inside the semicircular blade and also
10 0.5 1 160 0.1 the low-pressure area behind the blade contributes to the rotation
11 0.5 1 170 0.1 in a counterclockwise rotation. In the same way, the pressure dis-
12 0.5 0.25 180 0.1
13 0.5 0.5 180 0.1
tribution results in the superiority of hybrid model 6 with an
14 0.5 0.75 180 0.1 overlap ratio of 0.25 (model c) compared with the other models.
15 0.75 1 180 0.1 This phenomenon can be seen from the instantaneous streamline
16 1 1 180 0.1 around the rotor of the Savonius models. Figure 17 shows the
17 1.25 1 180 0.1 flow instantaneous streamline around the wind turbine rotors. In
18 1.5 1 180 0.1 model 2 with ɛ = 0, many vortices exist inside, behind, and also
out of blades that significantly reduce the turbine performance.

Fig. 14 Effect of the initial overlap ratio on torque and the power coefficient

Fig. 15 Effect of the initial overlap ratio on the torque coefficient of the hybrid turbine at λ = 3

Journal of Energy Resources Technology JANUARY 2020, Vol. 142 / 011202-7

 Fig. 16 Pressure field around the hybrid rotor for (a) model 2, (b) model 1, (c) model 6,
and (d) model 7 at λ = 3

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Fig. 17 Instantaneous streamline around hybrid turbine for models: (a) 2, (b) 1, (c) 6, and
(d ) 7 at λ = 3

011202-8 / Vol. 142, JANUARY 2020 Transactions of the ASME

Indeed, these vortices in the models (b) with ɛ = 0.1 and (c) with
ɛ = 0.3 have reduced turbine performance. The best performance
is related to model 6 with ɛ = 0.25. The numerical simulation
shows that in model 6, the vortices shedding, especially inside
the blades, has been reduced, as well as the location of the vortices
is better than that of the other models and has less opposition to
the turbine rotation. Generally, the flow streamlines around the
rotor of hybrid turbine model 6 have more discipline and fewer
fluctuations, especially, around the rotor. This feature optimizes
the performance of this hybrid model compared with other models.

4.3 Effect of Arc Angle of Savonius Blades on the

Performance of the Hybrid Turbine. The arc angle of Savonius
blades is one of the most critical parameters that affects turbine
performance. In this study, by changing the arc angle of five
hybrid models, according to Table 3, the impact of this parameter
on hybrid aerodynamic turbine performance has been studied.
Figure 18 shows the performance curve of the hybrid models
with different arc angles. As can be seen, at TSRs between 0.5 (a)
and 2.5, best performance is related to hybrid model 1 with the
highest arc angle of 180 deg. As a result, reducing the arc angle
reduces the starting torque. At a TSR of 2.5–3.5, hybrid model 9
with an arc angle of 150 deg has the highest power coefficient.
Decreasing the arc angle at high TSRs up to θ = 150 deg improves
the performance, and then before azimuth angles θ = 140 deg
reduces the power coefficient. Consequently, the optimum arc
angle for the Savonius blade is 150 deg, in which it increases the
maximum power coefficient by 12%.
Figure 19 presents the total torque coefficient of Darrieus and
Savonius turbines for one rotation, and at TSR 3 for different arc
angles. As can be seen, the torque coefficient in hybrid model 9
with an arc angle of 150 deg is more than in the other models.
Figure 20 compares the pressure field for hybrid turbine models 1
and 9 at θ = 120 deg and λ = 3. As it is depicted, the low-pressure
region behind the semicircular blade can help the turbine to rotate
in the counterclockwise direction. This low-pressure region is
larger for hybrid model 1, which causes more turbine acceleration.
However, in hybrid model 9, not only the low-pressure region
inside the semicircular blade is smaller, but also the low-pressure (b)
zone formed outside the semicircular plates helps in torque
production. Fig. 19 Torque coefficient for hybrid models in (a) 9, 2, and 1
Figure 21 compares the flow field around the Savonius blades of and (b) 8, 9, and 10
hybrid models 1 and 9 at TSR 3. It is well seen that the vortices
formed inside the semicircular blade, in hybrid model 1, in terms
of magnitude and location of the formation, are less than that of smoother. This increases the performance of hybrid model 9 at
model 9, and this slows the rotation of the blades. Also, the vortices TSR of 3.
formed at the upstream region of the blade of model 1 are larger,
4.4 Effect of Blade Curvature on the Performance of the
and the instantaneous streamline around the rotor of model 9 is
Hybrid Turbine. One of the parameters that is expected to have
a significant effect on the performance of the Savonius wind
turbine is the curvature of blades. Curvature, which is the radius
of span R1 to its depth R2, is shown in Fig. 13(b). In this study,
the ratio (R1)/(R2) is represented by α, and the aim is to determine
the effect of this parameter on hybrid turbine performance, and α
is set to 1, 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25. The increase in α means increasing
Savonius curvature. To change α, the value of R1 is considered to be
constant and is equal to 0.125 m, and the value of R2 is reduced. As
a result, the Savonius rotor diameter is not altered and is equal to
0.5 m. In Fig. 22, the performance of hybrid turbines versus curva-
ture of blades is presented. This figure shows the power coefficient
versus TSR. The figure can be divided into two parts. At low TSRs
(between 0.5 and 2), the increase in the curvature of the Savonius
turbine has improved the performance of the hybrid turbine, and
the best performance is related to the turbine with α = 1 (or the
base model). However, with increasing tip ratio (from 2 to 3.5),
reduction in curvature of blades has had a favorable effect on
turbine performance, and the best performance is related to hybrid
model 12 with the least curvature α = 0.25 mm. As can be seen,
Fig. 18 Power coefficient of hybrid turbine models 1, 8, 9, 10, the reduction in the curvature of the Savonius blade has increased
and 11 the maximum hybrid turbine power coefficient. The maximum

Journal of Energy Resources Technology JANUARY 2020, Vol. 142 / 011202-9

 (a) (b)
Fig. 20 Pressure field around the Savonios wind turbine for (a) model 1 and (b) model 9 at λ = 3

(a) (b)
Fig. 21 Instantaneous streamline around the Savonius wind turbine for (a) hybrid model 1 and
(b) hybrid model 9 at λ = 3

Fig. 22 Effect of blade curvature on torque and power coefficients of the hybrid turbine

011202-10 / Vol. 142, JANUARY 2020 Transactions of the ASME

 (a)
Fig. 23 Effect of blade curvature on the torque coefficient at (a) λ = 1 and (b) λ = 3
(a)
Fig. 24 Pressure field around the hybrid turbine (a) model 1 and (b) model 12 at λ = 4
power coefficient is related to model 12 with Cp = 0.195 that occurs
at a TSR of 3.
The maximum power coefficient of the base model (model 1) is
0.165 and occurs at a TSR of 2.5. Therefore, model 12 shows 18%
increase in the maximum power coefficient compared with the base
model. The maximum power coefficient for model 4 is also very
close to the Darrieus wind turbine, and the difference is only 2%.
This is the biggest benefit of this model, which makes it possible
to neglect the bad performance of hybrid model 12 (with less cur-
vature) at low TSRs. This model compared to the Darrieus
turbine has an important point of low impact on the reduction in
the maximum power coefficient. This model reduces only 2% of
the maximum power coefficient. As a result, the optimum curvature
mode is related to hybrid model 12 with α = 0.25.
Figure 23 depicts the effect of the curvature of the Savonius blade
on the torque coefficient over one rotation and between speed ratios
1 and 3. As mentioned, hybrid turbine 1 with the highest curvature
possesses best performance. Particularly, at a TSR of 1, this model
with an average torque coefficient of 0.848 has the most average
torque coefficient among other models. However, at a TSR of 3,
hybrid model 12 with the lowest curvature has the highest efficiency
and an average torque coefficient of 0.065, which is the maximum
Journal of Energy Resources Technology
(b)
(b)
torque coefficient among the different models. The fluctuations of
the torque coefficient of the hybrid model 12 at TSR = 3 are
lower than the other models, and the torque coefficient curve is
more stable. Hybrid turbine model 12 is chosen as the optimized
model, and best performance of this turbine occurs at TSR = 3. Con-
sequently, to study the effect of the Savonius curvature, the con-
tours of these two models are compared together.
Figure 24 shows the pressure contour for models 1 and 12. As can
be seen, the low-pressure region created on the semicircular blade
turbine of model 1 is larger than that of model 12, this low-pressure
region resists the turbine in the counterclockwise rotation. The low-
pressure area created behind the blade for model 12 is larger than for
model 1. The presence of this region causes the blade to rotate in the
counterclockwise direction and thus helps the turbine to turn. Also,
the presence of a high-pressure region inside the semicircular blade
of hybrid model 12, unlike the first model, improves the turning of
the wind turbine of model 12.
5 Conclusion
In this study, the combination of Darrieus and Savonius turbines
was proposed in order to optimize self-starting performance of the
JANUARY 2020, Vol. 142 / 011202-11
Darrieus wind turbine. A 2D computational fluid dynamics method
was used to study the aerodynamic performance of the hybrid
turbine. It was observed that the numerical method is able to
predict well and analyze the complex flow behavior around the
hybrid turbine rotor. All simulations are performed on a similar
mesh, so the results are quite reliable. The results revealed that
the proposed model is largely capable of solving the main
problem of vertical-axis wind turbines. It is seen that reducing the
rotor diameter of the Savonius turbine improves the hybrid
turbine performance and can extend the working domain of the
turbine. Increasing the overlap ratio optimizes the power coeffi-
cient. Also, the hybrid turbine increases the torque coefficient of
the hybrid turbine compared with the Darrieus turbine. In the
optimal case, model 12 shows 18% increase in the maximum
power coefficient compared with the base model. It is also observed
that the flow streamlines around the rotor of model 12 have more
discipline and fewer fluctuations compared with other hybrid
models which optimize the performance of this model. Finally,
after considering the 18 turbine configurations at seven TSRs,
it is found that the optimal value of each of the parameter is
ɛ = 0.25, α = 0.25, and ∅ = 150 deg. In each of the mentioned
values, the proposed hybrid turbine has best performance in terms
of self-starting and increasing the working domain furthermore to
improve the maximum power coefficient.
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