Theoretical vertical-axis tidal-current-turbine wake model using axial momentum theory with CFD corrections

Abstract

The wake from a tidal current turbine has a significant impact on a tidal farm. A single turbine wake would affect the turbine located adjacent or downstream. Two equations are proposed to predict the mean velocity within the wake of a vertical-axis turbine. The first equation used to predict the efflux velocity is derived based on the axial momentum theory and dimensional analysis. Efflux velocity is the minimum velocity closest to the turbine downstream. The second equation used to predict the lateral velocity distribution is derived based on Gaussian probability distribution. The predictions are compared with the existing experimental and numerical results. Validation of the equations gives a variation in the range of 0–1.13% for the efflux velocity by comparing the proposed theoretical works and Dai and Lam’s experimental measurements. These equations are the foundation of the analytical method for wake prediction of a vertical-axis turbine.