Abstract
The performance of a Wells turbine with various non-uniform tip clearances was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The investigation was performed on numerical models of a NACA0020 blade profile under steady flow conditions. The performance of turbines with uniform and non-uniform tip clearances was compared. The results were also compared with experimental results in literature. It was shown that the performance of turbine with non-uniform tip clearance is similar with that of turbine with uniform one in terms of torque coefficient, input power coefficient, and efficiency. However, the turbine with non-uniform tip clearance seems to have a preferable overall performance. An investigation on the flow-field around the turbine blade was performed in order to explain the phenomena.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 321-331 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Applied Ocean Research |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Oct |
Keywords
- CFD
- NACA0020 blade profile
- Tip clearance
- Wells turbine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ocean Engineering