CFD analysis of the flow between dual-layer orthogonal-offset plate arrays

Abstract

Dual-layer orthogonal-offset plate (DLOOP) arrays are newly investigated arrangements of flat plates shown by numerical simulation to have lower drag, over a range of layer distances, than contiguous plates of equivalent frontal area at high angles of attack. The DLOOP arrangement takes the contiguous area of a virtual plate, divides it into smaller sub-sections and relocates each alternate sub-section to the alternate layer so that none remain side-by-side. For example, a square chessboard DLOOP assembly has an upper-layer of thirty-two black plates overlapping a layer of thirty-two white plates. The chessboard's orthogonal offset, between plates of overlapping layers, results in zero overlap between individual plates which is a significant feature for solar tracking power systems to combine more photovoltaic panels in a way that can resist higher wind specifications.