Abstract
Three blade-geometry optimization models derived along with assumptions from the blade element momentum (BEM) approach are studied by using a steady BEM code to improve a small horizontal-axis rotor of three blades that has been previously used in experiments. The base rotor blade has linear-radially varying chord length and pitch angle, while the other three models noted as Burton, Implicit and Hansen due to their references and characteristics yield blades of non-linearly varying chord length and pitch angle. The aim is to compare these rapid models and study how assumptions embedded in them affect performance and induction factors. It is found that the model that has the least assumptions (Hansen) and which considers the blade-profile drag in its optimization procedure yields the highest power coefficient, CP, at the optimal tip speed ratio (TSR), about 7% higher than the base one and also higher CP at high TSR. It produces an axial induction factor distribution along the blade that is closest to the 1D optimal value of 1/3. All optimized tangential induction-factor distributions along the blade closely vary as inverse to the square of the radial distance, while being mildly higher than the base distribution. It shows that sufficient swirl is necessary to increase power but at a level causing not too much energy loss in unnecessary swirl of the wake. At high TSR, all optimized rotors adversely produce higher thrust than the base one, but the one with most embedded assumptions (Burton) produces the highest thrust. Details of all three optimization models are given along with the distributions of the power, thrust, blade hydrodynamic efficiency and induction factors.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmed, M.U., Avital, E.J. and Korakianitis, T., 2013. Investigation of improved aerodynamic performance of isolated airfoils using CIRCLE method, Procedia Engineering, 56, 560–567.
Ai, K.M., 2019. Hydrodynamic Performance of HAMCTs in Steady and Unsteady Flows, Ph.D. Thesis, Queen Mary, University of London, London.
Ai, K.M., Avital, E., Shen, X., Samad, A. and Venkatesan, N., 2018. Surface curvature effects on performance of a laboratory scale tidal turbine, Lecture Notes in Engineering and Computer Science, in: Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2018, News-wood Limited, London, pp. 571–575.
Ai, K.M., Avital, E.J., Korakianitis, T., Samad, A. and Venkatesan, N., 2016. Surface wave effect on marine current turbine, modelling and analysis, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (ICMAE), IEEE, London, UK, pp. 180–184.
Ai, K.M., Cui, J.H., Wang, M.Y. and Avital, E., 2020. Numerical modelling of a dual-rotor marine current turbine in a rectilinear tidal flow, Ocean Engineering, 200, 107026.
Avital, E.J., Ai, K., Venkatesan, N., Samad, A. and Korakianitis, T., 2018. Hydrodynamic assessment of a dual-rotor horizontal axis marine current turbine, International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4.10), 455–459.
Bahaj, A.S., Molland, A.F., Chaplin, J.R. and Batten, W.M.J., 2007. Power and thrust measurements of marine current turbines under various hydrodynamic flow conditions in a cavitation tunnel and a towing tank, Renewable Energy, 32(3), 407–426.
Batten, W.M.J., Bahaj, A.S., Molland, A.F. and Chaplin, J.R., 2008. The prediction of the hydrodynamic performance of marine current turbines, Renewable Energy, 33(5), 1085–1096.
Burton, T., Sharpe, D., Jenkins, N. and Bossanyi, E., 2001. Wind Energy Handbook, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK.
Charlier, R.H., 2003. A “Sleeper” awakes: Tidal current power, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 7(6), 515–529.
Chernin, L. and Val, D.V., 2017. Probabilistic prediction of cavitation on rotor blades of tidal stream turbines, Renewable Energy, 113, 688–696.
El-Shahat, S.A., Li, G.J., Lai, F. and Fu, L., 2020. Investigation of parameters affecting horizontal axis tidal current turbines modeling by blade element momentum theory, Ocean Engineering, 202, 107176.
Encarnacion, J.I., Johnstone, C. and Ordonez-Sanchez, S., 2019. Design of a horizontal axis tidal turbine for less energetic current velocity profiles, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 7(7), 197.
Erich, H., 2000. Wind Turbines: Fundamentals, Technologies, Application, Economics, Springer, London, UK
Glauert, H., 1935. Airplane propellers, in: Aerodynamic Theory, Durand, W.F. (ed.), Springer, New York, pp. 169–360.
Goundar, J.N. and Ahmed, M.R., 2013. Design of a horizontal axis tidal current turbine, Applied Energy, 111, 161–174.
Hansen, M.O.L., 2008. Aerodynamics of Wind Turbine, 2nd ed., Earth-scan Publications Ltd, London.
Luznik, L., Flack, K.A., Lust, E.E. and Taylor, K., 2013. The effect of surface waves on the performance characteristics of a model tidal turbine, Renewable Energy, 58, 108–114.
Moriarty, P.J. and Hansen, A.C., 2005. AeroDyn Theory Manual, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado.
Ning, S.A., 2013. AirfoilPrep.Py Documentation: Release 0.1.0, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado.
Noruzi, R., Vahidzadeh, M. and Riasi, A., 2015. Design, analysis and predicting hydrokinetic performance of a horizontal marine current axial turbine by consideration of turbine installation depth, Ocean Engineering, 108, 789–798.
Rosen, A., 1987. Wind Turbines Lecture Notes, Technion Press.
Shen, X., Avital, E., Paul, G., Rezaienia, M.A., Wen, P. and Korakianitis, T., 2016. Experimental study of surface curvature effects on aerodynamic performance of a low reynolds number airfoil for use in small wind turbines, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 8(5), 053303.
Snel, H. and Schepers, J.G., 1995. Joint Investigation of Dynamic Inflow Effects and Implementation of An Engineering Method, Ecn-C-94-107, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, Petten, The Netherlands.
Tangler, J. and Kocurek, D., 2005. Wind turbine post-stall airfoil performance characteristics guidelines for blade-element momentum methods, Proceedings of the 43rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, AIAA, Reno, Nevada, pp. 591.
Thandayutham, K., Avital, E.J., Venkatesan, N. and Samad, A., 2019. Optimization of a horizontal axis marine current turbine via surrogate models, Ocean Systems Engineering, 9(2), 111–133.
Zhang, D.H., Ding, L., Huang, B., Chen, X.M. and Liu, J.T., 2019. Optimization study on the blade profiles of a horizontal axis tidal turbine based on BEM-CFD model, China Ocean Engineering, 33(4), 436–445.
Zhu, F.W., Ding, L., Huang, B., Bao, M. and Liu, J.T., 2020. Blade design and optimization of a horizontal axis tidal turbine, Ocean Engineering, 195, 106652.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation item
The study was co-founded by the Queen Mary — China Scholarship Council Scholarships, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11702111), the Royal SOC IEC/NSFC/181425, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Grant No. GML2019ZD0103), and Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Turbulence Research and Applications (Grant No. 2019B2120300).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ai, Km., Wang, My., Wang, D. et al. Numerical Study of A Generic Tidal Turbine Using BEM Optimization Methods. China Ocean Eng 35, 344–351 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13344-021-0032-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13344-021-0032-1