Numerical and experimental analyses of the performance of a vertical axis turbine with controllable-blades for ocean current energy

Abstract

Phasing out high-carbon-emission fossil fuels and using renewable energy have become a global consensus for mitigating climate change. For the application of renewable energy, this study proposes a high-efficiency controllable-blade vertical axis turbine, which has six blades and a cam plate, for ocean current power generation. A novel design for the turbine using cam to control the opening and closing of blades to enhance the performance of vertical axis turbines. The design feature of the drag-type blade is to be active or open quickly in downstream. The effective area of the blade under thrust is increased to enhance the performance. On the other hand, the blade is designed to be inactive or close quickly in upstream and the drag of blade in upstream can be reduced. A commercial software, ANSYS FLUENT is used to simulate the performance of the vertical turbine. The streamline, velocity, and pressure around the turbines are then obtained. The power coefficients and torques are evaluated at various angular velocities and tip speed ratios and are validated by experimental results. The maximum power coefficient of the proposed turbine occurs at an angular velocity ratio of 4 with quick opening of blades and is higher than that of 3, 5, or 6 by 3.4 %, 2.7 %, or 7.4 %, respectively. In addition, performance comparisons among controllable-blade vertical axis turbine, fixed-blade vertical axis turbine, and Savonius turbine are made. The results show that the maximum power coefficient of the presented controllable-blade vertical axis turbine is 143 % and 103 % higher than that of the fixed-blade vertical axis turbine and Savonius turbine at V = 1 m/s, respectively.