Numerical simulation on hydrodynamic performance of parallel twin vertical axis tidal current turbines

Authors

  • Ke Sun College of Shipbuilding Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
  • Zhou Xuehan College of Shipbuilding Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
  • Li Yan College of Shipbuilding Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
  • Zhang Liang College of Shipbuilding Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2019.176062

Keywords:

Tidal current energy, Vertical-axis hydro-turbine, Hydrodynamic performance, Parallel twin turbines, Wake flow

Abstract

Single and parallel twin vertical axis hydro turbines were numerically simulated by using OpenFOAM software, studying the interference effects, such as torque and load of turbine, as well as hydrodynamic performance influenced by the distance and rotation forms between twin turbines, and analyzing the wake flow field to show the velocity profile distribution. The results showed that the average power of parallel twin turbines is always higher than the power of a single turbine, and the closer the lateral distance between turbines, the higher the power. When lateral distance approximates to 1.25 times turbine diameter, and turbines rotate in the opposite inward direction, the average energy efficiency value of parallel twin turbines is about 25 % higher than that of a single one. Additionally, opposite inward rotation is the best arrangement form for twin turbines to obtain more power and counteract lateral force.

References

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Published

2019-05-04

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2019): July-December

Section

Article

License

Copyright: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0