Numerical study of a low power hydrokinetic turbine

ABSTRACT

In a hydrokinetic turbine, the flow completely surrounds the turbine allowing it to convert the kinetic energy of the water to mechanical power. The general objective of this work is the numerical study of a low power axial flow hydroelectric turbine using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). The scope of this work includes a CFD analysis of a hydroelectric turbine, including the rotor, hub and casing, a comparison between results of steady and transient solvers, and the turbine performance in design and off-design conditions. Three-dimensional simulations were carried out using ANSYS Fluent software, with the aim of estimating the design loads and determining the nominal operating conditions, including results of steady and transient simulations. Results were obtained with the k-ω SST turbulence model and the SIMPLEC calculation algorithm, in structured and unstructured meshes, which involve stationary and rotating domains.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrokinetic turbine
• blade element – momentum
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Multiple Reference Frame

Acknowledgements

This work is based on results originating from a Cooperation Agreement between the Computational Fluid Dynamics Group at the National University of La Plata and the Energy Institute at the National University of Cuyo, Argentina. The authors are thankful to Nicolás Tripp and Dante Bragoni for their initiative in starting this cooperative work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).