A parametric analysis of the performance of a horizontal axis tidal current turbine for improving flow-converging effect

Abstract

This paper proposed a research method for secondary design and parametric analysis of the contraction section of the shroud to improve the flow-gathering effect of horizontal axis tidal current turbines. By comparing the velocity ratio, drag coefficient, and flow field stability of the nine different shroud profile types, a conclusion was drawn that the hydrodynamic performance of the exponential (Type-A) shroud is best. On this basis, the primary parametric analysis of the A profile type shroud is carried out by changing the contraction ratio of the shroud's contraction section to divide the profile into three parts. The results show that the vertical flange inhibits the flow-gathering effect of the shroud, so the secondary parametric analysis is proceeded by removing the flange and changing the flange inclination angle, respectively. At the contraction ratio of 6/8, the flow-gathering effect of each shroud is best, among which the hydrodynamic performance of Type-ABL-6-85° shroud with the flange inclination angle of 85° is best. The maximum power coefficient (Cpmax) is 43.20%, which is 31.59% higher than that with Type-A shroud when the tip speed ratio is 1.5. Therefore, it can be considered that the combined profile type of the shroud contraction section has a better flow-gathering effect than the single profile type.