Study of the Refrigeration and Air Filter Systems of Wind Turbine Nacelles in the Desert

Abstract

In this thesis, the refrigeration and air filtration systems of a nacelle of Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) in desert climates is studied. A comparison between two dust particle filtration systems is performed, in a technical-economical analysis. The solution proposed to improve the air filtration of the refrigeration system consists of, substituting conventional mesh-fiber filters with an Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP). To do this some background is given in dust particle filtration efficiency measurement, as well as a methodology to do the comparison. In addition to that, an investigation on the theoretical principles of electrostatic precipitation is given, and based on that, an experimental ESP is designed. The study will focus on a horizontal axis WECS, placed in a desert climate, specifically in the Arabian Desert, where the most suitable location to place a WECS is chosen, and the climatic conditions data for that place is researched.