Experimental investigation of the near wake of a horizontal axis tidal current turbine. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morandi, B.; Di Felice, F.; Costanzo, M.; Romano, G.P.; Dhomé, D.; Allo, J.C.
• Is Part Of: International journal of marine energy. Volume 14(2016)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Tidal turbine -- Wake -- LDV; Ocean energy resources -- Periodicals; Marine resources -- Periodicals; 333.9164
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijome.2016.02.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-1669

Abstract

Highlights: LDV phase locked measurements are applied for the first time to the wake analysis of tidal turbine. The wake has been analyzed for different TSR pointing out modifications in the wake topology. The wake has been characterized by pointing out the flow structures released by the blades. The distribution among different energy components of the inflow kinetic energy flux is derived. Abstract: A scaled-model of an HATCT (Horizontal Axis Tidal Current Turbine) was tested in the CNR-INSEAN Circulating Water Channel. Two different analyses were performed during the experiments: preliminary investigation of the performances of the turbine in different working conditions and LDV (Laser Doppler Velocimetry) measurements in the near wake. Velocity measurements are performed in phase locking to the rotor, in order to resolve the blade wake structure at different working regimes. Indeed, the knowledge of all three velocity components (tangential, axial, radial) allows to evaluate through energy balance concerns, the transfer of inflow kinetic energy into mechanical work of the rotor and into different energy contributions in the wake. The LDV analysis of the near wake also contributes to understand some of the most important fluid dynamics aspects related to the design of the rotor and to the different working conditions, and can be used as a preliminary study for understanding the wake evolution and the interaction between two or more turbines in a farm.