Wind Turbine in Cameroon - Lab Report Example

WIND TURBINE IN CAMEROON Student’s name Course &Code Professor’s name University City Date Wind Turbine in Cameroon Introduction Engineering without Boundaries is a designed program for various university students in their first year of studies. This program is designed to help come up with various engineering aspects aimed at designing suitable equipments for sustainable survival and development. In this regard, Wind Turbine in Cameroon is one of the designed projects that aim at providing an alternative source of electricity. Cameroon is one of the potential energy exporters among the African countries (Amsterdam, 2012). It exports energy to various countries that lack enough energy supply. However, the country is faced with various challenges which describe the country as the poor exporter. Essentially, more than 70% of the energy consumption is derived from traditional biomass. A hydro-electric power is produced on a less than 5% count (Amsterdam, 2012). Evidently, this country has not yet explored all techniques of energy production. The pie chart below shows the rations of production of energy in Cameroon. Figure 1: Energy production in Cameroon Currently, the country depends on the two sources of the energy production. This makes Cameroon to face a myriad of challenges during production and export of energy. Apparently, for a country to become a potential producer and exporter of energy, it has to invest in all types of energy production. This will ensure continuous and stable supply (Dominy et al. 2013). Simply put, Cameroon needs to invest in wind turbines as one of its energy production and supply. Wind turbines will supplement other forms of production used in the country. Consequently, a lot of challenges that are experienced during production and supply will be solved. As such, this retrospect report is aimed at broadly exploring methods used in designing wind turbine, its functions and the side effects in relation to Cameroon. Designing Wind Turbine By the end of 2011 wind has since become a resourceful aspect for electricity production. It is estimated that wind can generate 500 Total Watts per hour (TWh) annually. This equates to 3% worldwide electricity supply (McCosker, 2012). Global statistical analysis shows that a lot of countries are investing in electricity production using wind. Consequently, appropriate methods of designing a turbine are an essential aspect that has to be considered by various countries. This will ensure proper utilization of wind in electricity production. Cameroon as a fore mentioned is on the potential electricity exporter in Africa. As such, the country needs to invest in wind electricity production to supplement its production. Types of wind turbines The current wind turbine dates to the historical wind mills that were being used in production of electricity (Schubel & Crossley, 2012). The mills were constructed from wood, clothe and stone. Technological advancement has ensued to the establishment of wind turbines which produces electricity from wind. Essentially, the orientation of the wind turbines bases on the shaft and a rotational axis (Schubel & Crossley, 2012). This determines the first classification of wind turbine. Wind turbines can be classified into two main types. There is a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) in which its shaft is mounted parallel to the ground and there is an upright axis wind turbine (VAWT) in which its shafts is normal to the ground. Essentially, designing these two types of turbines is based on the way they will be mounted on the ground. The two turbines come with their own challenges in designing them. Specifically, vertical turbines are associated with a lot of challenges in designing them. This has led to few designs and production of vertical axis wind turbines. On the other hand, horizontal axis wind turbine is widely used in various countries due to its simplicity in production. It is accredited to larger rotor management through pitch and yaw control (Maalawi & Badr, 2013). The HAWT has therefore emerged as the dominant design configuration. It is capitalized by today’s turbine manufacturing companies. The figure below shows the difference between HAWT and VAWT. The following a systematic approach in designing wind turbines. Figure 2: VAWT and HAWT wind turbines The Blades Firstly, there is the blade power which has the rotor in the wind turbine. The blades fabricate automatic power to drive the alternator (Maalawi & Badr, 2013). The diameter of these blades is doubled to ensure that the produced electricity is four times the much power expected. Secondly, in designing a wind turbine the blade speed has to be kept into consideration. Essentially, the pace of the blades depends on how they are laden. In this regard, the blades have to be thin and pointed towards the end to ensure efficient movement (Maalawi & Badr, 2013). High speed will ensure high energy count. Thirdly, the wind turbine has to have more blades. It is normally assumed that the more the number of blades the more the torture (Maalawi & Badr, 2013). The turning force will increase based on the number of blades used. As a result, it is advised to use more blades while designing the turbine. Lastly, the blade shape has to be considered. Any rotor planned to move at the speed ratio of 7 has to be in a similar shape (Maalawi & Badr, 2013). All blades have to have the same shapes regardless of the size. This will ensure uniform speed ration and high torque. Curving the Blades While curving the blades the following steps have to be considered. Fist step is to create the tapered shape (Dominy et al. 2013). Scratch out the stations by measuring at end of the work piece. Sketch a line round the work piece station and mark the correct widths for the curves. The table below summarizes the measurements that are considered in curving the blades. Table 1: Measurement of Curving Blades at each station Station Width 1 150 millimeters 2 120 millimeters 3 100 millimeters 4 80 millimeters 5 70 millimeters 6 60 millimeters The second step concerns the actual curving of the twisted windward face (Dominy et al. 2013). The wind ward position of the sharp edge will be at an angle but will remain flattened. It has to resemble the underside of an aircraft. More wood has to be removed to make the angle more steeper at the bottom than it is at the top. This is because the blade-speed changes automatically incase of wind speed increases (Shokrieh, 2013). Consequently, specific stations have to be marked with a square face on top and the stations cut as estimated in step one. The cut marks have to be joined from the line of the trailing edge. Specific measurements have to be taken in a consistent form. The third step involves making the blade to curve while maintaining its thickness. Essentially, the whidth of the blades has to be consistent and uniform. It is supposed to be medium in size. The table below summarizes the thickness of the blades at each station. Table 2: Thickness of curving blades at each station Station Thickness 1 36mm 2 25mm 3 13mm 4 10mm 5 8mm 6 7mm The fourth step involves curving the bent figure on the back of the blade (Shokrieh, 2013). At this stage the blade is almost finished. The blades are shaped so as to make it curve on the back side. Lastly, there is assembling and gluing the rotor hub. All of the curved blades are assembled and glued at the rotor hub. The Alternator The alternator is made up of the stator disk which is flanked by two attraction motors (Jensen, 2013). The stator is placed at three different points around the periphery. A wheel bearing is then used at the pivotal centre of the wind turbine (Shokrieh, 2013). The wheel bearing can be extracted from the car and it makes a good hub since it can rotate and be lubricated. The alternator is therefore made by use of a stator and a hub. There are various materials that are used in fabricating the alternator to ensure efficient movement. The table below summarizes the materials that are needed to fabricate the alternator. Table 3: quantity of Materials needed to make an alternator Pieces Materials Length Diameter Thick 1 Steel pipe 300mm 60.3 OD 3mm 1 Steel plate 65mm 65 OD 1.2 mm 2 Steel angle 267 GM hub 50mm 6mm 2 Steel angle 50mm 50mm 6mm 1 Steel angle 100mm 50mm 6mm The above measurements have to be considered when making the alternator. The motor has to be drilled appropriately and mounted on the alternator. The motor has to provide an avenue for lubrication of the wind turbine. Electricity Production After assembling the blades, constructing the alternator, the last aspect is to create an electrical connectivity during the operation of the wind turbine. The electrical productivity of the wind turbine is determined as a voltage and a current. As such, the wind turbine has to have an appropriate electrical connectivity to ensure its completion. Essentially, coils have to be connected at a specific dimension to ensure maximum taping of the electricity from the wind (Duquette, & Visser, 2012). The coils are soldered firmly to the wind turbine so as to avoid loosening and falling off. After connecting the electrical taping terminals the wind turbine is complete and can be tested for proper functionality. Functions of the Wind Turbine Installation of the wind turbines in Cameroon will be an ideal project to the country. The wind turbines serve a variety of functions if they are properly designed for installation. Apparently, in order for a country or a company to realize the benefits of the wind turbines as a source of electricity production, it they have to ensure safety of using the tubenoses (Duquette, & Visser, 2012). In this regard, there are various guidelines that offer safety information that has to be considered by the operators and workers of the wind turbines. Additionally, the guidelines provide specific information on each part of the wind turbine and its function. Consequently, keep all safety measures and ensuring proper operation of wind turbine leads to a myriad of functions. As such, some of the functions of the wind turbine include but not limited to the following. Firstly, installation of wind turbine leads to creation of employment opportunities (Shokrieh, 2013). Evidently, the project was first tasted in the United States of America and the end result was creation of job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled Americans. Consequently, when Cameroon embraces use of wind turbines to produce electricity, a lot of job opportunities will be created. Both skilled and skilled personnel will be hired to work on the project. The level of unemployed citizens in Cameroon will gradually reduce and a sustainable lifestyle will be achieved by many citizens. Secondly, wind turbine plays a pivotal function in economic growth (Shokrieh, 2013). Essentially, proper installation and use of wind turbines to produce electricity leads to specified economic growth of a country. In this regard, when the project will be taken to Cameroon, the economic status of this country will gradually increase. Cameroon is known to be the best African country that produces and exports electricity. Consequently, when this country embraces wind turbine it will be able to produce sufficient electricity for both export and local use (Jensen, 2013). Continuous production will lead to economic growth of the country. Thirdly, wind turbine ensures proper industrial and manufacturing companies success (Jensen, 2013). Almost all of manufacturing industries depend on electricity for their production. Therefore, wind turbine will ensure continuous supply of electricity both in industries of Cameroon and other countries that import energy from this country. Fourthly, use of wind turbine in electricity lowers the total cost of electricity (Pedersen & Larsman, 2014). Currently, Cameroon uses hydro-electric power and other traditional means of biogas in electricity production. Use of wind turbines to produce energy will act as a supplement to the already existing energy sources. Additionally, use of turbines will ensure plenty of energy supply in Cameroon. This leads to reduction of the cost of supply and acquiring electricity. Lastly, use of wind turbines to produce electricity leads to reduction in environmental pollution (Pedersen & Larsman, 2014). The means of production using wind turbines does not involve industrial chemical combinations that end up polluting the environment. The process depends on natural wind which is less harmful to the environment. The Side Effects of Wind Turbine Wind turbines have various benefits as a fore mentioned. On the contrary, they have various side effects that might affect the health of human beings. In response of public health concerns, those close to the wind turbine power plants are expected to face the following side effects. Firstly, wind turbines produce a lot of noise that leads to sound pollution (Shokrieh, 2013). Noise is associated with sound force level and its regularity that is commonly referred to as to the pitch. Human beings located close to the turbines will be affected by sound pollution. Secondly, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are likely to cause health hazards to human beings located close to the turbines (Baker & Jager, 2015). These EMFs produce harmful components that affect human beings health on continuous exposure. Thirdly, there is the effect of unsteady shinning which occurs during the rotation of the blades of a turbine in sunlit situation. They cast moving shadows on the ground (Baker & Jager, 2015). This results in irregular changes in light strength appearing to flick on and off. When human beings stare at these shadows they might lose their sight. Fourthly, ice throw and ice shade effect depends on the weather conditions (Piggott, 2015). Various atmospheric conditions affect the ice formation on the turbines. This ice might drop and harm human beings without their notice. Lastly, there are structural hazards which relate to throw of the blades incase of failure (Piggott, 2015). Blades can drop off the turbine during revolution and cause hazardous effects on human beings. Conclusion Conclusively, it is evident that the project will lead to sustainable development in Cameroon. Essentially, proper designing and maintenance of the wind turbine will result into a stable energy production in Cameroon. In terms of competence, noise and aesthetic management the modern wind turbine is the most appropriate aspect to consider. Specifically, countries have to invest in the use of horizontally mounted three blade design since it has been proved to be the most efficient. The turbine can operate in various climatic conditions without major failures. In the case of Cameroon, horizontally mounted wind turbines will be able to produce a considerably large amount of energy that will be both used locally and for export. The country’s economic status will change and a positive growth will be noted. Citizens of this country will have sustainable development that will ensure modern living in relation of constant supply of fundamental needs. Reference List Amsterdam. (2012). Renewable Energy Potential Country Report Cameroon. Accessed from www.nrel.gov/wind/smallwind/pdfs/are_safety_function_test_report.pdf [on 28th August 2015] Baker, D. V. J & Jager, D. (2015). Wind Turbine Safety and Function Test Report for the ARE 442 Wind Turbines. Accessed from www.nrel.gov/wind/smallwind/pdfs/are_safety_function_test_report.pdf on [28th August 2015] Dominy, R., Lunt, P., Bickerdyke, A. & Dominy, J. (2013). Self-Starting Capability of a Dairies Turbine. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part A J. Power Energy 221, 111–120 Duquette, M. M. & Visser, K.D. (2012). Numerical Implications Of Solidity And Blade Number On Rotor Performance Of Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines. J. Sol. Energy Eng.-Trans. ASME 125, 425–432. Jensen, F.M. 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