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Development of a portable small wind turbine for integration into a mobile cooling technology.

Authors :
Mthethwa, Perm
Workneh, Tilahun S.
Kassim, Alaika
Source :
Sustainable Energy Research; 6/13/2024, Vol. 11 Issue 1, p1-17, 17p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

In this study, a small wind turbine prototype was developed to provide electric power for a mobile cooling unit The aim of this study was to design and develop a 600-W small wind turbine that can generate electric energy to power a mobile cooling unit used for the storage of fruits and vegetables, mainly for the benefit of smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers suffer from high postharvest losses, approximated at 50%, some of which can be avoided by using efficient low-cost cooling units, rather than open transport. Cooling slows down the metabolic rate which consequently extends the produce's shelf life and prevents spoilage, allowing farmers to provide high-quality produce to the market. This could potentially increase the farmers' monetary returns. The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal on the road that stretches between Pietermaritzburg and Estcourt. The wind turbine is made of a 600-mm-diameter rotor with three PVC blades, a permanent magnet synchronous generator, a bridge rectifier, a 230-V AC inverter and a battery for energy storage. The wind turbine was tested against three vehicle speeds of 60, 80, and 100 km h<superscript>−1</superscript>, and the two opening levels, level 1 at 45 ∘ and level 2 at 80 ∘ relative to the louvre mechanism frame. The results of this study revealed that the power generated by the wind turbine is greatly influenced (p < 0.001) by both the vehicle travelling speed and louvre opening level. The power output of 113.4, 159.6 and 210.0 W per hour was observed for the vehicle speeds of 60, 80 and 100 km h<superscript>−1</superscript>, respectively, on louvre opening level 1. The power output of 142.8 W h<superscript>−1</superscript>, 268.8 W h<superscript>−1</superscript> and 294.0 W h<superscript>−1</superscript> were observed for a wind speed of 60 km h<superscript>−1</superscript>, 80 km h<superscript>−1</superscript>, and 100 km h<superscript>−1</superscript>, respectively, on Louvre opening level 2. This shows that higher wind speeds (vehicle speeds) produce high-power output which accounts for the small size of the wind turbine rotor. A maximum power coefficient of 0.49 was achieved for this study. The wind turbine can generate the power required to run a cooling technology to a limited extent, thus must have a backup power supply from the diesel engine or be used in a hybrid system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
27319237
Volume :
11
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Sustainable Energy Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178065647
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40807-024-00116-0