A Mixer / Ejector Wind
Turbine (“MEWT”)
system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. In the preferred embodiment, Applicants' MEWT incorporates advanced flow mixing technology, ejector technology, aircraft and propulsion
aerodynamics and
noise abatement technologies in a unique manner to fluid-dynamically improve the
operational effectiveness and efficiency of prior wind turbines, so that its operating efficiency routinely exceeds the Betz limit. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: a
turbine shroud with a flared inlet; a ring of
stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an
impeller) in line with the
stator vanes; and a mixer / ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the
turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy
turbine exit flow with
high energy bypass
wind flow. Unlike gas turbine mixers and ejectors which also mix with hot core exhaust gases, Applicants' preferred apparatus mixes only two air streams (i.e., wind): a primary air
stream which rotates, and transfers energy to, the
impeller while passing through the turbine; and a
high energy bypass flow or “secondary” air
stream which is entrained into the ejector, where the secondary air
stream mixes with, and transfers energy to, the primary air stream. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is
safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.