Optimization of turbine design for deep sea (ocean current) power energy technology.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
The main objective of this thesis is to study renewable energy based on ocean current energy
conversion. Different technologies based on ocean energy conversion are described and this
research focuses on the design of a horizontal axis turbine running in free stream water under
a range of different velocity values. We explain the concept of the design, the source of the
power, thrust formulae and use computational tools to analyze the efficiency of the project.
For this design, we have considered data collected at different sites where a full scale project
could be implemented. The test site was chosen on the basis of statistical analysis of the best
velocity profile available. From studies on wind turbine airfoils we chose a profile that
seemed to be efficient for the range of Reynold number equivalents required according to the
conditions of the chosen site. This profile was adapted to suit an ocean current turbine.
Combining the chosen profile data and formulae for optimum pitch angle, we designed
different prototypes using Autodesk Inventor Professional. These designs are based on
concepts after Betz, Schmitz, Blade Element Momentum and also using a design tool named
Turbem which has been developed for design of water turbine blades. We used Autodesk
CFD to run simulations and analysis of the turbines. The results provide an average of the
change in water pressure on the surface of the blades and average power based on a series of
calculations. Results are presented in tables showing the power output of the system in
relation with the velocity of water and the radius of the turbine. Studies on material,
implantation on site and cost still need to be conducted but we can recommend ocean current
energy conversion as an alternative source of electrical energy.
Description
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2016.
Keywords
Ocean current., Pitch angle., Horizontal axis turbine., Agulhas current.