Three straight-bladed vertical axis turbine designs were simulated using Three-Dimensional (3D) transient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, using a commercial Unsteady Reynolds Averaged NaviereStokes (URANS) solver. The turbine designs differed in support strut section, blade-strut joint design and strut location to evaluate their effect on power output, torque fluctuation levels and mounting forces. Simulations of power output were performed and validated against Experimental Fluid Dynamics (EFD), with results capturing the impacts of geometrical changes on turbine power output. Strut section and blade-strut joint design were determined to significantly influence total power output between the three turbine designs, with strut location having a smaller but still significant effect. Maximum torque fluctuations were found to occur around the rotation speed corresponding to maximum power output and fluctuation levels increased with overall turbine efficiency. Turbine mounting forces were also simulated and successfully validated against EFD results. Mounting forces aligned with the inflow increased with rotational rates, but plateaued due to reductions in shaft drag caused by rotation and blockage effects. Mounting forces perpendicular to the inflow were found to be 75% less than forces aligned with the inflow. High loading force fluctuations were found, with maximum values 40% greater than average forces.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Vertical Axial Tidel Turbine
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Maritime Engineering
Research Field:	Ship and Platform Hydrodynamics
Objective Division:	Energy
Objective Group:	Renewable Energy
Objective Field:	Tidal Energy
UTAS Author:	Marsh, PJ (Mr Philip Marsh)
UTAS Author:	Ranmuthugala, D (Professor Dev Ranmuthugala)
UTAS Author:	Penesis, I (Associate Professor Irene Penesis)
ID Code:	104242
Year Published:	2015
Web of Science® Times Cited:	31
Deposited By:	Seafaring
Deposited On:	2015-11-05
Last Modified:	2017-11-01
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