Effects Of Fins on The Performance of Vertical Alignment Cross-Flow Whirlybird Hydrokinetic Turbine

Abstract

The hydrokinetic turbine (HKT) is used to transforms the energy available in fluid flow to mechanical energy. Its operational concept is akin to wind turbines. In contrast, HKTs possess the ability to generate greater torque as compare to wind turbines, obligations to the density of water is higher. In this study, a numerical analysis performed to assess the effects of fins on the performance of vertical alignment cross-flow whirlybird HKT. By the use of numerical method various outputs namely torque, torque coefficient (Ct), power and power coefficient (Cp) are estimated at different tip speed ratio. Further, the flow patterns are represented by velocity and pressure contour. Subsequently, the comparisons of torque and power coefficient are made for different numbers of fins (2, 3 and 4) as well as without any fins and further, the maximum power coefficient is observed as 0.275 at 2 numbers of fins.