Numerical simulation of the loading characteristics of straight and helical-bladed vertical axis tidal turbines

RENEWABLE ENERGY

卷:94

Article

Marsh, Philip¹  Ranmuthugala, Dev²  Penesis, Irene¹  Thomas, Giles³ 

[1] Univ Tasmania, Australian Maritime Coll, Natl Ctr Maritime Engn & Hydrodynam, Locked Bag 1395, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia

[2] Univ Tasmania, Australian Maritime Coll, Natl Ctr Ports & Shipping, Locked Bag 1395, Launceston, Tas 7250, Australia

[3] UCL, Dept Mech Engn, Torrington Pl, London WC1E 7JE, England

关键词: Vertical axis turbine;    Structural loading;    Stress and deflection;    Computational fluid dynamics;    Finite element analysis;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.renene.2016.03.060

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

The stress and deflection of straight and helical-bladed vertical axis turbines was investigated using hydrodynamic and structural analysis models. Using Double Multiple Streamtube (DMS) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, the hydrodynamic forces and pressures on the turbines were modelled for three rotational rates from startup to over speed conditions. The results from these hydrodynamic models were then used to determine stress and total deflection levels using beam theory and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) methods. Maximum stress and deflection levels were found when the blades were in the furthest upstream region, with the highest stresses found at the blade-strut joints for the turbines studied. The helical turbine exhibited on average 13% lower maximum stress levels than the straight -bladed turbine, due to the helical distribution of the blades around the rotational axis. All simulation models offered similar accuracy when predicting maximum blade stress and deflection levels; however for detailed analysis of the blade-strut joints the more computationally demanding CFD-FEA models were required. Straight-bladed, rather than helical turbines, are suggested to be more suited for tidal installations, as for the same turbine frontal area they produce higher power output with only 13% greater structural stress loading. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free