Vaneless ion wind generator
Ion wind generators are not commercially available, though working prototypes and proofs of concept have been created.
[2] But ion wind generators, which have no moving parts, could be used in urban settings where wind turbines are impractical due to vibrational noise, moving shadows, and danger posed to birds.
[3] One of the earliest examples of electrostatic energy generation is found in Lord Kelvin's Thunderstorm, a device invented in 1867.
However, the Thunderstorm relied on the force of gravity and two oppositely charged reservoirs to generate a voltage difference.
[3] Though they are not identical in operation, Lord Kelvin's Thunderstorm demonstrates the behavior of water and concepts of electrostatics that underpin modern ion wind generators.
This increases the potential energy of the particles, which can be likened to moving a mass upwards against the force of gravity.
[5] Researchers from Delft University of Technology devised an equation to model the behavior of the water droplets as they move through the air in order to optimize the system mathematically and run computer simulations.
When the flow is indeed laminar, the drag force can be calculated using Stokes' law,
is the Cunningham slip correction factor, which is assumed to be 1 for particles greater than 1μm in diameter.
The sum of work done on each droplet yields the total energy generated from the wind.
The first, patented by Alvin Marks in 1977, was a twofold device comprising a charging system and separate collector.
The force may become strong enough to move the particles back towards the charging system, or they may simply pass by the collector.
The particles which never reach the collector do not contribute to the net energy generation.
Adjusting variables such as wind speed and collector size can improve the performance of the system.
The dispersal of negatively charged particles from an initially neutral system increases its potential energy.
Once the charging system has a polarity, which is opposite to that of the particles, an attractive force is exerted.
If there is little wind, the force may transport the particles back to the charging system, losing the net energy gained from their dispersal.
[4] A group of researchers from Delft University of Technology devised the system.
One prototype of the device was installed on the university campus, and two more sit atop the Stadstimmerhuis 010 building located in Rotterdam.
The prototypes were designed by Mecanoo, a local architecture firm in Delft.
[1] The Dutch Windwheel is a building design that is expected to incorporate EWICON technology.
The plans were proposed by a partnership of three Rotterdam companies through the Dutch Windwheel Corp., who expected the building to be completed by 2022, but has not begun construction.
The structure is intended to display multiple environmentally-friendly technologies, including rainwater capture, wetland water filtration, and solar energy.
This can be mitigated to some degree with strategic placement of the devices in areas with more consistent wind speed.
[10] Wind turbines also produce noise which may disturb residents in the vicinity.
Quieter operation has led researchers to consider using the technology in urban environments.
"[13] Wind turbines have maximum speeds of operation which vary by design.
Wind turbines shut down when "cut-out" speeds are exceeded to prevent damage.
During tests conducted in 2005, the EWICON was unable to match wind turbine output.
Several prototypes have been built for testing and experimentation, but researchers hope to build a larger device with greater power output.
