Hydrodynamic numerical simulation of diffuser for horizontal axis marine current turbine based on CFD

Abstract

In order to comprehensively study the hydrodynamic characteristics of diffuser for marine current turbine with a postpositive bulb, a geometric model of the turbine was established. Three-dimensional CFD simulation of turbulent flow was performed based on the incompressible continuity equation, the Navier-Stokes equations and the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The influence of diffuser was calculated and analyzed by numerical results, which were also compared with model test results. Results showed that the numerical results agree fairly well with model test and the maximum error of impeller efficiency and power is 1.5% and 1.8% in the rated water velocity condition, which are less than 5.8% and 5.5% under other cases respectively. The new type marine current turbine with a bulb for erecting motor which is different from regular, and the diffuser can aggregate water flow, raise inlet water velocity more than 3% and efficiency of impeller effectively increased. After diffuser was added, the power coefficient curve rose over the full range, so the high power area became widely, and then remarkably prolonged power time as well as increased generated energy, it is also significant for efficient utilization of marine current energy and environmental pollution remission.