A STUDY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR THE INDUSTRY USING GENERAL EXHAUST AIR

Abstract

This report comprises of a few focal points to achieve further understanding of the project intent in studying the feasibility of implementing a renewable energy system for the industry, using a general exhaust air system. An essential mechanical ventilation equipment which is commonly found in many factory setups, especially the semiconductor or electronic industry where larger capacity fans are used. The renewable wind energy is exploited in many ways to generate electricity offshore, on land and at the building itself. Cost of micro wind turbines (WT), cost of installation and cost of maintenance have fallen to the point where it is now viable to use this technology on the roof of any industrial buildings as explained in this report Field Study. The term “small wind” in WT terminology defined as wind-powered electric generators with rated capacities of 100 kilowatts (kW) or less, while the term “micro wind” is a subset of the “small wind” classification and is generally defined as turbines less than 1kW in capacity. In this project, we acquired a micro shrouded WT designed by Jetpro Technology from jet engines know-how to generate a rated 200W power at optimum wind speed of 12 m/s. The converging effect of the shroud in the front portion of the fan compresses the air to accelerate across the rotor plane while the diverge effect in the back adjust the back pressure behind the blades which allow larger pressure drop across blades and yield higher torque force to give larger output. The laboratory WT test was planned and organized to observe the performance of the WT at various pre-defined condition. With a clear understanding of the WT performance at various conditions, actual on site field test was performed subsequently with minimum difficulties. The field test involved a sufficiently large capacity industry general exhaust system which is capable of producing high air velocity of maximum 14 m/s at the air outlet duct and duct size larger than the WT to establish the possible attainable power generation results. From both the laboratory and field results we have gathered, we clearly identified the closed matching of wind power generated by the WT claims by the manufacturer. The boundary conditions and WT specification have been identified which include maximum tilting angle at +/-10 degree of the WT with respect to the wind direction and the necessary cut-in speed for the WT at various conditions was also being tabulated. Multiple important observations on actual general exhaust air wind turbines installation are to be considered prior to the test to achieve the expected power generation. The Study has clearly claims the possibility in implementing the WT as a meant of harvesting of renewable energy in the industry through the general exhaust air. The feasibility in terms of cost, site constraint, installation details, equipment requirement, possible performance factors and condition has also been observed and making it more economical for industry to accept and adapt the concept.