Performance Characteristics of Horizontal Axis Tidal Turbine with Tidal Current Interaction

Abstract

Abstract This study presents results from the numerical analysis of the performance of the Horizontal Axis Tidal Turbine under the influence of current from various directions. The sliding mesh in ANSYS Fluent is used to simulate the rotating turbine. The realizable K-ε model is used to model the turbulence. The ANSYS model is verified against experimental data by comparing the power coefficient for various velocities of tidal current coming from zero-degree direction. After that, the effects of tidal current directions are investigated by considering nine approaching angles. It is found that the maximum Power Coefficient occurs when the direction of incoming flow is parallel to the rotational axis of the turbine, regardless of incoming flow velocity. Thrust coefficient, on the other hand, found to reach the maximum when deflection of incoming flow is 15°. In an actual marine environment, it is difficult to ensure that the incoming flow of water will always be parallel to the rotating axis of the turbine. Therefore, to ensure efficient energy capturing, it is suggested that the flow directions should be kept within 15° from the rotational axis of the turbine, especially for low incoming velocity.