Effect of the Blade Pitch on the Performance of Small Wind Turbine Exposed to Wind Stream of Various Angles of Attack

Abstract

In wind turbines, several parameters can affect the productivity of the turbine, such as wind velocity, rotor area, blade aerodynamic design, and blade pitch. In this paper, the effect of various pitch angles for a small wind turbine was investigated. A system of two metal stands with same height is installed (i.e. on the same axis of streaming), the first stand holds an air blower which imitates the wind with constant air blowing. The other, holds a small wind turbine consists of a DC motor and metal hub (steel bush) with 3-blades with equal radial distance (120°). The pitch angle was adjusted at a certain degree of inclination (10°) in which the turbine stars to rotate, then readings of power and rotational speed were collected. The process then repeated with another 3 different angles (15°, 20°, and 25°). At the end, a fixed pitch angle degree was adjusted, and then the lowest and highest air velocity that affecting the blades rotation were measured.