Open AccessNumerical simulation on hydrodynamic performance of parallel twin vertical axis tidal current turbines
Author(s) -
Ke Sun,
Zhou Xuehan,
Li Yan,
Liang Zhang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
maritime technology and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2651-205X
DOI - 10.33175/mtr.2019.176062
Subject(s) - turbine , wake , rotation (mathematics) , power (physics) , tidal power , mechanics , marine engineering , torque , flow (mathematics) , computer simulation , geology , physics , geometry , engineering , mechanical engineering , mathematics , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
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.