The University of Sheffield
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dr Robert J Howell

BEng, PhD (Cantab)

Dr Robert HowellLecturer in Experimental Aerodynamics

First Year Tutor and Intro Week Co-ordinator

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
UK

Telephone: +44(0)114 2227725
Fax: +44(0)114 2227890

email : r.howell@sheffield.ac.uk

Profile

Dr Howell studied for his Ph.D. at the Whittle Laboratory of the University of Cambridge. His research, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, centred on the unsteady aerodynamics of present in low-pressure turbines, specifically in determining the flow physics involved in wake-blade interactions. This work resulted in the new so-called ultra high lift turbine design philosophy and allows new turbine designs with far fewer blades than had previously been possible. His postdoctoral research included turbine and compressor aerodynamics studies for Rolls-Royce and for Rolls-Royce Deutschland.

In 2002 Dr Howell joined Siemens (Power Generation division) in a role that included the aerodynamic design of a two-stage transonic turbine for a new industrial engine. Other work included turbine blade cooling and component life assessment, as well as initiating a collaboration with Czestochowa University of Technology to investigate shrouded turbine leakage flows and exhaust diffuser performance.

In 2006, he joined The University of Sheffield, as a Lecturer in Experimental Aerodynamics.

Areas of Research

Dr Howell's main areas of research involve vertical and horizontal wind turbine aerodynamic performance, as well as studies into the effects of geometry errors caused during the manufacturing processes for gas turbine blades. Other research includes active and passive control of separating flows for performance improvement of UMAVs and aerofoil sections for vertical axis wind turbines.

Research into wind turbine aerodynamic performance is carried out using both experimental models in the departmental wind tunnel as well as computational models (using Fluent). Dr Howell has developed a number of experimental facilities for the detailed performance evaluation of model vertical axis and horizontal axis wind turbines. These facilities also allow for the testing of other turbine rotor blades for industry and it is also possible to carry out computational analysis of such profiles.

Research Interests

Facilities

Large Scale Wind Tunnel Specifications:
Working Section: 1.2 x 1.2 x 3m
Maximum Velocity: 22m/s or 50 mph.
Contraction Ratio 6:1
Reynolds Number / m = 1.2x106

Teaching

MEC303 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics

MEC380 Aircraft Design (Propulsion)

MEC435 Advanced Propulsion (Compressor/Turbine stage aerodynamics and Rocket propulsion)

Aerospace Group Design Project: Aerodynamics Support

Books

  • Penz F, Radick G & Howell R (2004) Space. Cambridge Univ Pr.

Journal articles

Conferences

  • Danao LAM, Edwards JE, Eboibi O & Howell RJ (2013) A Numerical Study on the Effects of Unsteady Wind on Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Performance
  • Danao LAM, Edwards JE, Eboibi O & Howell RJ (2013) The Performance of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in Fluctuating Wind – A Numerical Study. IAENG (ISBN: 978-988-19251-0-7)
  • Jon Leary , Howell RJ & Aidan While (2012) Locally Manufactured Wind Power Technology for Sustainable Rural Electrification
  • Leary J, Howell RJ, While A, Chiroque J & Pinedo C (2012) Post-installation Analysis of Locally Manufactured Small Wind Turbines: Case Studies in Peru, 396-401.
  • Eboibi O, Danao LM & Howell RJ (2012) Numerical Study of the Influence of Solidity by Altering Blade Chord on the Performance of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
  • Danao LA & Howell RJ (2012) Effects on the Performance of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines with Unsteady Wind Inflow: A Numerical Study
  • Leary J, While A & Howell RJ (2011) Wind Power for the Poorest 2 Billion. http://www.ewb-uk.org/system/files/Our%20Global%20Future%20-%20Research%20%2526%20Education%20Conference%202011_Proceedings.pdf
  • Howell RJ & Wall N (2009) Initial Characterisation of Convoluted Vortex Flow Structures for Hybrid Rocket Applications
  • Hamada K, Smith T, Durrani N, Qin N & Howell R (2008) Unsteady flow simulation and dynamic stall around vertical axis wind turbine blades. 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
  • Edwards J, Durrani N, Howell R & Qin N (2008) Wind tunnel and numerical study of a small vertical axis wind turbine. 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
  • Hamadaa, K, Smith T, Durranic, N, Qin N & Howell RJ (2008) Unsteady Flow Simulation and Dynamic Stall around Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Blades
  • Edwards J, Smith T, Durrani N, Qin N & Howell R (2008) Wind Tunnel and Numerical Study of a Small Vertical Axis Wind Turbine(AIAA-2008-1316)
  • Howell RJ & Hodson HP (2000) High Lift Low Pressure Turbines
  • Eboibi O, Danao L & Howell RJ () A Numerical Study of Influence of Blade Profile and Solidity on the Performance of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
  • Danao L, Eboibi O & Howell RJ () An Experimental Investigation on the Influence of Unsteady Wind in the Aerodynamic Performance of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
  • Leary J, Piggott H, Howell RJ & While A () POWER CURVE MEASUREMENTS OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED SMALL WIND TURBINES
  • Howell RJ () Separation Bubble Interactions with Turbulent Spots and Wakes in the Turbomachinery Environment at a Reynolds of around 130,000
  • Hodson HP, Schulte V & Howell RJ () The Calmed Region And Its Significance In Low Pressure Turbines
  • Harvey NW, Howell RJ, Hodson HP & Schulte V () The Role of Research in the Aerodynamic Design of an Advanced LP Turbine, 123-132.
  • Howell RJ & Hodson HP () Unsteady flow: its role in the low pressure turbine
  • Piggott H, Howell RJ & While A () POWER CURVE MEASUREMENTS OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED SMALL WIND TURBINES - PART II

Patents

  • BABINSKY H, DURKAN C, Hodson HP, Howell RJ, KUSCHEL U, Moore D & Welland M (2001) Sensor probe. WO0120344 Appl. 22 Mar 2001.