Computational Actuator Disc Models for Wind and Tidal Applications. (28th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, B.; Francis, J.; Howe, J.; Whitty, J.
• Other Names: Ahmed-Ali Tarek Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of renewable energy. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-10-28
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/172461
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-4386

Abstract

Abstract : This paper details a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) study of a constantly loaded actuator disc model featuring different boundary conditions; these boundary conditions were defined to represent a channel and a duct flow. The simulations were carried out using the commercially available CFD software ANSYS-CFX. The data produced were compared to the one-dimensional (1D) momentum equation as well as previous numerical and experimental studies featuring porous discs in a channel flow. The actuator disc was modelled as a momentum loss using a resistance coefficient related to the thrust coefficient (C T ). The model showed good agreement with the 1D momentum theory in terms of the velocity and pressure profiles. Less agreement was demonstrated when compared to previous numerical and empirical data in terms of velocity and turbulence characteristics in the far field. These models predicted a far larger velocity deficit and a turbulence peak further downstream. This study therefore demonstrates the usefulness of the duct boundary condition (for computational ease) for representing open channel flow when simulating far field effects as well as the importance of turbulence definition at the inlet.