Effect of guide vanes on the performance of a variable chord self-rectifying air turbine

Abstract

Wells turbine is a self rectifying air flow turbine capable of converting pneumatic power of the periodically reversing air stream in Oscillating Water Column into mechanical energy. One of the principal reasons for the low efficiency of the Wells turbine is its lower tangential force compared to its axial force. Guide vanes before and after the rotor suggest a means to improve the tangential force, hence its efficiency. Experimental investigations are carried out on the Wells turbine with a variable chord (VACR) blade rotor fitted with inlet and outlet guide vanes to understand the aerodynamics especially improvement in efficiency and starting characteristics. Numerical simulation has been made to clarify the unsteady characteristics of the turbine with guide vanes. Studies are done at various flow coefficients covering the entire range of flow coefficients over which the turbine is operable. The efficiency, starting characteristics of the Wells turbine has improved when compared with the turbine without guide vanes.