Vortex Bladeless, the windmill without blues
A bladeless windmill aims to achieve an important increase in energy efficiency in wind power facilities. Do you want to learn more? The project was chosen by Fundación Repsol's Entrepreneurs Fund. More than a century ago, Theodore von Kármán explained the physics behind why many chimneys and cylindrical towers suffered such a battering from the wind at certain times of the year. The reason was found in the formation of whirlwinds. When the flow of air is constant and hits an obstacle, it tends to form these types of eddies. This made the towers and chimneys sway from side to side. What was a problem at the time, can now be seen as an advantage.
Three entrepreneurs have designed a bladeless windmill with a cylindrical shape that aims to generate electricity using the swaying of the windmill that the air currents cause.
The structure consists of a cylindrical cone, fixed to the ground with an elastic material. This is adapted to the trajectory of the eddies and tries to create more eddies in a controlled manner. This wind turbine contains a system of coils and magnets that, thanks to the swaying of the structure, generate electric energy.
Its creators wanted this technology to make little noise, and there to be no interference with other devices such as, for example, radars. As they operate without blades, the design of these kinds of wind turbines eliminates the need to install a good part of the mechanical elements. This also makes them easier to transport and maintain. The cylinder is made with fiberglass to make it rigid and give it elasticity. It's also a system that doesn't need oil, which means a reduced impact on the environment with respect to other technologies. It's a device that is capable of generating energy in a wide range of wind speeds. It activates with a speed of just one meter per second!
With all these factors in mind, the creators of the Vortex Bladeless estimate an improvement in energy efficiency of up to 40%.
Read more at repsol.com and at www.vortexbladeless.com