O uso de fibra de juta (corchorus capsularis) no desenvolvimento de pás de turbina eólica de pequena escala para ventos de baixa intensidade

Abstract

Natural fibers have growing potential for reinforcing polymer composites, representing a promising competitor to the glass and carbon fibres widely used in the construction of wind turbine blades, whose recyclability/disposability and high energy production costs have already been discussed in the main turbine production centres. On the other hand, the development of wind turbines for areas with winds of between 2 and 6 m/s, considered low speed, using the S1210 aerofoil profile could increase the energy generation potential of regions not originally eligible for the installation of large turbines. This study proposes evaluating the use of jute fiber (Corchorus capsularis) in the blade design of a small-scale wind turbine, considering aerodynamic and structural parameters. This project was developed incorporating Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEM), Classical Laminate Theory (TCL) and Extended Bredt-Batho Shear Flow Theory (EBSFT), in order to survey the elastic properties and enable the use of failure criteria. The composite blades were characterised in accordance with ASTM D 3039, ASTM D 638 and ASTM D 5379. The mechanical properties obtained, together with the elastic parameters of the cross-section, torsional stiffness, axial stiffness and flexural stiffness, of EIy 4.97 x 104 Nm2, EIz 1.45 x 106 Nm2, EI 9.47 x 104 Nm2 and GJ 1873.6 x 106 Nm2, respectively, demonstrated the feasibility of using jute fibre applied to the structural laminate in the construction of the blade, defined in accordance with the maximum stress failure criterion, presenting itself to compete with the glass fibres used today.