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Performance characteristics of 7 bi-directional tidal turbine rotors were investigated in a circulating water channel (CWC). The effects of Reynolds number, pitch distribution, pitch ratio and solidity were evaluated and the influence of testing in turbulent flow discussed. An open boat assembly was used to house a Cussons dynamometer, to measure torque and thrust, and a Dunkermotor to control the shaft speed. The findings indicated that testing in the CWC, as opposed to a towing tank (TT), will produce a maximum power coefficient of approximately 50% less. This was attributed to the threedimensional turbulent flow of the CWC and the sensitivity of the performance characteristics of a horizontal axis tidal turbine (HATT) with respect to the inflow quality. Reynolds independence was reached at an inflow speed of 1.5 m/s; with maximum performance characteristics obtained by rotor 6, with a solidity ratio of 0.4. Further work to investigate rotor pitch can be carried out to optimise this type of rotor and complete a baseline data set necessary for organising full scale testing and analysis.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	marine current turbine, tidal energy, model scale test, solidity, circulating water channel
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Maritime Engineering
Research Field:	Ocean Engineering
Objective Division:	Energy
Objective Group:	Renewable Energy
Objective Field:	Tidal Energy
Author:	Cropp, C (Mr Charles Cropp)
Author:	Penesis, I (Associate Professor Irene Penesis)
Author:	Walker, J (Dr Jessica Walker)
Author:	Frost, R (Mr Rowan Frost)
ID Code:	106803
Year Published:	2015
Deposited By:	NC Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics
Deposited On:	2016-02-22
Last Modified:	2016-08-05
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