Abstract
The research on tidal-current energy-capture technology mainly focuses on the conditions of high flow velocity, focusing on the use of differential pressure lift, while the average flow velocity in most sea areas of China is less than 1.5 m/s, especially in the marine aquaculture area, where tidal-current energy is needed to provide green energy locally. Due to the low flow velocity of this type of sea area, it seriously affects the effect of differential pressure lift, which is conducive to exerting the effect of impact resistance. In this regard, the coupling effect of the differential pressure lift and the impact resistance on the blade torque is comprehensively considered, this research puts forward the design method of the lift-–drag-composite thin-plate arc turbine blade. Based on the blade element momentum (BEM) theory and Bernoulli’s principle, the turbine dynamic model was established, and the nonlinear optimization method was used to solve the shape parameters of the turbine blades, and the thin-plate arc and NACA airfoil blade turbines were trial-produced under the same conditions. A model experiment was carried out in the experimental pool, and the Xiangshan sea area in Ningbo, East China Sea was taken as the experimental sea area. The results of the two experiments showed the same trend, indicating that the energy-harvesting performance of the lift–drag-composite blade was significantly better than that of the lift blade under the conditions of low flow velocity and small radius, which verified the correctness of the blade design method, and can promote the research and development of tidal energy under the conditions of low flow velocity and small radius.
Highlights
The global economy is developing rapidly, and the demand for energy is increasing.The environmental pollution and resource shortages caused by traditional fossil fuels are becoming increasingly serious [1]
Based on a hydrodynamic analysis, this paper proposes a lift–drag-composite thin-plate arc blade, establishes a mechanical model of the coupling effect of differential pressure lift and impact resistance, establishes the blade-shape-parameter balance equation, and optimizes the design model to improve the comprehensive energy-capture performance of the turbine
Theory and Bernoulli’s principle, the blade dynamics model was established, the shape parameters of the blade were solved, and the thin-plate arc and NACA airfoil turbine blades were constructed under the same conditions
Summary
The global economy is developing rapidly, and the demand for energy is increasing. The environmental pollution and resource shortages caused by traditional fossil fuels are becoming increasingly serious [1]. Sellar et al [12] considered the average flow velocity and turbulence intensity at multiple locations near a tidal turbine to study energyharvesting performance; Zhilong Liu et al [13] studied the problem of tidal weakening in breeding farms; Jianjun Yao et al [14] studied the influence of a savonius turbine on the reduction of flow velocity; and Junhua Chen et al [15] proposed a calculation method for the design of flow velocity of turbines These studies have achieved certain results in low-velocity energy capture, but the comprehensive utilization of differential pressure lift and impact resistance needs to be further improved. Based on a hydrodynamic analysis, this paper proposes a lift–drag-composite thin-plate arc blade, establishes a mechanical model of the coupling effect of differential pressure lift and impact resistance, establishes the blade-shape-parameter balance equation, and optimizes the design model to improve the comprehensive energy-capture performance of the turbine
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