Application of small-scale wind power system in livestock buildings

The objective of this study is to develop a small-scale wind power system utilizing ventilation fan flow of livestock buildings. The characteristics and availability of the ventilation fan flow for the use of wind power generation were evaluated through field experiments and simulation works. The field experiments using typical 50-inch ventilation fan indicated that the wind flow behind the ventilation fan had a good possibility of power generation with its high and steady wind speeds. The performance degradation caused by the wind turbine was also tested but concluded to be allowable. The flow profiles of the ventilation fan for the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was created by combining the direction vectors analyzed from tuft visualization test and the flow predicted by the rotating fan modelling. The new several wind turbines were designed by the blade element momentum theory (BEMT) and optimisation processes, and their aerodynamic performances were tested through the CFD simulation and field experiments. The permanent magnet synchronous generator was made and used for the wind power system. The prototype was tested in field experiments and it continuously produced almost 300 W of electricity. Considering the ventilation fan consumed 1 kW, the wind power system could recover almost 30% of the consumed energy by the ventilation fan.