This paper deals with wind power generation by elimination of gear system. Using magnetic levitation frictional losses will be avoided and power generated will be improved. Comparing with conventional type vertical axis wind turbine is more efficient that will capture the wind in all directions. Due to maglev, it will be able to rotate in minimum speed of 1m/s and produce alternating voltage. By using permanent magnet (Neodymium) repulsion effect replaces the bearings to reduce the frictional losses and produce power more than conventional type with cost effective.
2. Production of Electrical Energy by Vertical Axis Maglev Windmill
Oommen S. 126
A. Power Calculation
For the sufficient generation of power there are some
factors have to consider such as the wind availability in an
area and the velocity of the wind. (Minu John et al., 2014)
The wind power increases as the cube of velocity of the
wind (speed) with respect to area. (Harshal Vaidyal et al.,
2016) The motion of the wind is considered as the kinetic
energy (Piyush Gulve, and Dr. S.B.Barve, 2014).
Kinetic Energy K.E = ½ ρAV3
To convert into Power in kilowatt, a proportionality constant
is added, K= 2.14 x 10-3
Therefore, Power on kilowatt (KW) = 2.14 ρAV3 x10-3
Where, ρ is Air density = 1.2Kg/3/2.33 x10-3 slugs/f3
A is Area swept out by the blades
V is wind speed velocity in m/s
We can use only a portion of overall wind power, that
cannot exceed 59% of the overall wind.
Magnetic Levitation
Magnetic Levitation means repulsive force characteristics
between the permanent magnets and able to suspends the
object without any contact only with magnetic forces (Minu
John, 2014). We are using neodymium magnets (Nd- Fe-
B) have placed like polarities on the top of each other.
Compared with other permanent magnets repulsive force
is that much strong enough to carry the weight of the
turbine. As the grade of the magnet increases the repulsive
forces also increases. Due to levitation gaer system is
completely replaced by magnetic bearings hence frictional
losses are eliminated and power generation can be
increased by 20%. Hence the starting speed is reduced,
output power will be obtained for lower speed also. As the
mechanical bearing is eliminated lubrication also is not
required and is reliable.
Fig 2: Magnetic Levitation
B. Selection of magnets & Arrangement
From Fig 3. (Minu John et al., 2014) B-H curve of different
magnets, neodymium (Nd-Fe-B) have maximum magnetic
flux density so able to produce maximum flux for the
generation of voltage. We selected two different shapes of
Neodymium magnet N35 grade in which 14 circular
magnets and 2 centre magnets.
Fig.3 B-H curve of Various Permanent Magnets
The dimension of the magnets is outside diameter of
40mm, inside diameter of 20mm and width of 10mm. these
permanent magnets are plated with nickel to protect and
strengthen the magnet. The magnets used in this design N-
35 grade Nd-Fe-B having a flux density of 2100
Gauss(green colour) from the Fig.4. We are used 2 ring
shaped magnets and 14 circular magnets. The ring shaped
magnets placed on the shaft with like poles repel each
other and circular shaped arranged in N-S N-S like that
shown in Fig.5.
Fig.4 Flux lines around Permanent Magnet
3. Production of Electrical Energy by Vertical Axis Maglev Windmill
Int. Res. J. Power Energy Engin. 127
Fig.5 Arrangement of Circular Neodymium Magnets on the
base of the Rotor
C. Coil Arrangement
Coils used for power generation is 46-gauge wires of 5000
turns each and have four sets of coils. They are arranged
in the periphery of the stator which is in a line to disc
magnets and raised to certain height for maximum
utilization of magnetic flux. Coils are connected in series
over parallel to obtain more amounts of output voltage and
current. As the magnet fixed to the turbine rotates, a
rotating field is developed and the coils are fixed at bottom
base cut the magnetic flux a dynamically induced emf is
generated in the coil (axial generator). The coils are
arranged near to it for getting flux changes and produce
more output voltages.
Fig 6 Coil Arrangement
D. Blades Design Details
The blades design details are given in the TABLE. I. (Vishal
D Dhareppgoal and Maheshwari M Konagutti, 2013) The
number of blades used is 8 and angle should be in the
range of 300 to 450 with the disc. As to capture maximum
amount of wind, angle of the blades should be 450 will
makes to rotate the turbine faster. If the no. of blades
increases, it will create turbulence to the system and if it is
less, it may not be able to capture maximum amount of
wind. Side view and top view of the blades arrangement is
shown below Fig.7 & Fig.8 respectively. Due to this deign
even in very less wind it will be able to rotate and produce
energy.
Table I
Type Specification
Cylindrical Outer
Diameter of Blade
400 mm
Cylindrical inner
Diameter of Blade
80 mm
Wings 600 * 120 mm
Angle Cutting 450
Blade Cuttings 97/100/298.5/301.5/500/503/600
Fig.7 Side View of Blades arrangement
Fig.8 Top View of Blades arrangement
4. Production of Electrical Energy by Vertical Axis Maglev Windmill
Oommen S. 128
Hardware Implentation
The overall structure of the maglev wind mill designed is
shown in the Fig.9 and output obtained using w.r.t speed is
given in the TABLE II. The output produced (4-6V) from the
wind mill is alternating current (AC) is converted into DC
using rectifier circuit. DC obtained from the rectifier module
is doubled by a voltage doubler circuit. This output from
doubler is fed to the inverter module to get AC and connect
to the load (as here CFL).
Fig.9 Experimental setup of maglev wind mill
E. Rectifier Module & Voltage Doubler Circuit
A full wave diode bridge module is used for to obtain
pulsing DC (4-6V) shown in Fig.10 helps to increase the
average output voltage. Capacitor of 500 µF is used for
remove harmonics. This filtered voltage is doubles input
voltage of 5V to 10V using 555 timer IC, 0.01mF & 22mF
capacitor for charging & discharging form a voltage doubler
circuit and maintains the constant voltage shown in Fig.11
Fig. 10 Rectifier Module
Fig.11 Voltage Doubler Circuit
F. Inverter Module
It aims to convert DC to AC power by using PWM to get
complete the desired output and boost up the voltage by a
step up transformer to 110V.
Fig.12 Inverter Module
Table. II
Sl.No.
Speed Vs Output Power
Speed in
RPM
Output
Voltages(V)
Current(mA)
Power(mW)
1. 19 1.8 0.1 0.18
2. 38 2.5 0.2 0.50
3. 57 3.6 0.5 1.80
4. 105 4.8 0.9 4.32
5. 124 6.5 1.3 8.45
6. 171 10.7 1.8 19.26