Flow-Induced Vibration (FIV) and Hydrokinetic Power Conversion of Two Staggered, Low Mass-Ratio Cylinders, With Passive Turbulence Control in the TrSL3 Flow Regime (2.5×104<Re<1.2×105)

Abstract

Flow-induced vibration (FIV), primarily vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) and galloping have been used effectively to convert hydrokinetic energy to electricity in model-tests and field-tests by the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab) of the University of Michigan. The developed device, called VIVACE (VIV for Aquatic Clean Energy), harnesses hydrokinetic energy from river and ocean flows. One of the methods used to improve its efficiency of harnessed power efficiency is Passive Turbulence Control (PTC). It is a turbulence stimulation method that has been used to alter FIV of a cylinder in a steady flow. FIV of elastically mounted cylinders with PTC differs from the oscillation of smooth cylinders in a similar configuration. Additional investigation of the FIV of two elastically mounted circular cylinders in staggered arrangement with a low mass ratio in the TrSL3 flow-regime is required and is contributed by this paper. A series of experimental studies on FIV of two PTC cylinders in staggered arrangement were carried out in the recirculating water channel of MRELab. The two cylinders were allowed to oscillate in the transverse direction to the oncoming fluid flow. Cylinders tested have, diameter D = 8.89cm, length L = 0.895m and mass ratio m* = 1.343. The Reynolds number was in the range of 2.5×104<Re<1.2×105, which is a subset of the TrSL3 flow-regime. The center-to-center longitudinal and transverse spacing distances were T/D = 2.57 and S/D = 1.0, respectively. The spring stiffness values were in the range of 400<K<1200N/m. The values of harnessing damping ratio tested were ζharness = 0.04, 0.12, 0.24. For the values tested, the experimental results indicate that the response of the 1st cylinder is similar to a single cylinder; however more complicated vibration of the 2nd cylinder is observed. In addition, the oscillation system of two cylinders with stiffer spring and higher ζharness could initiate total power harness at a larger flow velocity and harness much higher power. These findings are very meaningful and important for hydrokinetic energy conversion.