An Experimental Investigation of Passive Variable-Pitch Vertical-Axis Ocean Current Turbine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5614/itbj.eng.sci.2011.43.1.3Abstract
Vertical-axis hydrokinetic turbines with fixed pitch blades typically suffer from poor starting torque, low efficiency and shaking due to large fluctuations in both radial and tangential force with azimuth angle. Maximizing the turbine power output can be achieved only if the mechanism of generation of the hydrodynamic force on the blades is clearly identified and tools to design high-performance rotors are developed.
This paper describes an initial experimental investigation to understand more of the performance on vertical-axis turbine related to the effect of fixed-pitch and passive variable-pitch application using airfoil NACA 0018. Comparative analysis according to aspects of rotation and tip speed ratios was discussed. Information regarding the changes of foil position in passive variable-pitch during rotation at a limited range of flow velocity variations test was obtained and analyzed.
Downloads
References
Scottish Enterprises, Marine Renewable (Wave and Tidal) Opportunity Review, Introduction to the Marine Renewable Sector, December 2005.
Salter, S., Pitch-Control for Vertical-Axis Marine-Current Generators, World Renewable Energy Conference Aberdeen, 2005.
Coiro, D.P., De Marco, A., Nicolosi, F., Melone, S. & Montella, F., Dynamic Behaviour of the Patented Kobold Tidal Current Turbine: Numerical and Experimental Aspects, Acta Polytechnica, 45(3), 2005.
Islam, M., Ting, David S.-K. & Fartaj, A., Aerodynamic Models for Darrieus-Type Straight-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbines, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12(4), 2008. (Doi:10.1016/j.rser.2006.10.023)
Batten, W.M.J., Bahaj, A.S., Molland, A.F. & Chaplin, J.R., Hydrodynamics of Marine Current Turbines, Renewable Energy, 31, 249-256, 2006.
Calcagno, G., An Experimental Investigation and a Theoretical and Computational Methodology to Study an Innovative Technology for Marine Current Exploitation: the Kobold Turbine, Bollettino della Comunit Scientifica in Australasia, December 2006
Variable Pitch Foil Axis Tidal Turbine, Final Project Report, Edinburgh Design Ltd, March 2006.
Sheldahl, R. & Klimas, P., Aerodynamic Characteristics of Seven Symmetrical Airfoil Sections Through 180-Degree Angle of Attack for Use in Aerodynamic Analysis of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines, Technical Report SAND80-2114, Sandia National Laboratories, March 1981.
Hantoro, R., Utama, I.K.A.P. & Erwandi, Sulisetyono A., Unsteady Load and Fluid-Structure Interaction of Vertical-Axis Ocean Current Turbine, Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Petra University Surabaya, 11(1), April 2009.
Munson, B.R., Young, D.F. & Okiishi, T.H., Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002.
Kirke, B.K. & Lazauskas, L., Limitations of Fixed Pitch Darrieus Hydrokinetic Turbines and The Challenge of Variable Pitch, Journal of Renewable Energy, 36(3), 2011. (DOI:10.1016/j.renene.2010.08.027)
Kirke, B. & Lazauskas L., Variable Pitch Darrieus Water Turbines, J. Fluid Sci Technol., 3(3), 430-438, 2008.
Erwandi, The Research on Marine Current Turbine in Indonesian Hydrodynamics Laboratory, Proceeding of 6th Biennial International Conference on Marine Technology, 2008.
Hantoro, R., Utama, I.K.A.P. & Erwandi, Flow Visualization in the Study of Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV) and Torsional Vibration (TV) on Vertical-Axis Ocean Current Turbine (VAOCT), International Ocean Science, Technology and Policy Symposium, World Ocean Conference, May 11-15, 2009, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2009.
