Performance Of Blade Research Articles

Investigating The Flapped Horizontal Axial Wind Turbine Experimentally to Improve Power coefficient and Stability

This paper investigates the potential of deploying flaps on wind turbine blades to enhance their efficiency and energy capture capabilities. The FX66-S-196V, FX63-137 S, and SG6043 supercritical airfoils were used and distributed along the blade radius. Flaps, situated 20% along the trailing edge of the blade chord, offer a means of actively controlling aerodynamic forces and optimizing blade performance under varying wind conditions. Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and optimization techniques. The aerodynamic effects of flap deployment on wind turbine blades are analyzed. The study explores the impact of flap angle, position, and deployment strategy on key performance metrics such as power coefficient, lift-to-drag ratio, and energy extraction efficiency. Results demonstrate that judiciously deploying flaps can lead to significant improvements in turbine efficiency, with power output enhancements ranging from 2.5% to 4.6%, depending on operating conditions such as wind speed, tip speed ratio, angle of attack, and flap angle setting. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis reveals optimal flap configurations for different wind regimes, highlighting the importance of adaptive control strategies. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on active aerodynamic control techniques for wind turbine optimization and underscores the potential of flaps as a viable means of enhancing wind turbine blade efficiency in practical applications.

Effect of triangular-wing longitudinal vortex generator geometry on heat transfer and flow resistance in the impingement cooling

To enhance the impingement cooling performance of turbine blades, this study investigates the heat transfer mechanisms of triangular-wing longitudinal vortex generators (TLVGs) arranged on the target surface. TLVGs are evaluated under different heights (H), widths (W), and angles (α) within a Reynolds number range of 4000 to 10 000. The main conclusions are as follows: Increasing H leads to an increase in heat transfer on the target surface and flow resistance, with the optimal overall heat transfer performance observed at H = 0.5D, improving thermal performance factor (TPF) by 7.5%–9.0% compared to a smooth target surface. The effect of W on the heat transfer performance of the target surface is relatively small, and its increase slightly reduces flow resistance. For Reynolds numbers below 6000, the TLVG with W = 0.1D shows the best overall heat transfer performance; however, for Reynolds numbers above 6000, the TLVG with W = 0.4D exhibits the optimal performance. The TLVG at α = 60° significantly reduces flow losses in the impingement chamber, improving TPF by 6.8%–8.2% compared to a smooth target surface. The TLVG at α = 150° has the next highest TPF, improving by 5.3%–6.0%, but it enhances heat transfer capability more effectively than at α = 60°.

Correction: Impact of Additive Manufacturing Surface Roughness on the Aerodynamic Performance of Axial Compressor Blades

Correction: Impact of Additive Manufacturing Surface Roughness on the Aerodynamic Performance of Axial Compressor Blades

Multi-Objective Optimization and Intelligent Algorithm Study for 1.5mw Doubly Fed Wind Turbine Blades

Background: The demand for renewable energy has catapulted wind power to the forefront of sustainable energy options. Designing wind turbine blades is a multi-objective optimization problem with conflicting objectives. Optimization methods such as the weighted sum or the goal programming method fail in this context of conflicting objectives: minimum weight, cost, and strength. The study discusses the integration of artificial intelligence algorithms with conventional design approaches for optimal blades of a 1.5MW DFIG wind turbine. Advanced computational methods are used to integrate aerodynamic efficiency, structural durability, and economic feasibility. Methods: This paper uses a broad meta-analytical approach with the integration of finite element analysis (FEA)and artificial intelligence optimization algorithms. This paper will consider three critical optimization techniques: genetic algorithms (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and gray wolf optimization (GWO). The blade performance will be considered for various operating conditions, including aerodynamic efficiency, structural integrity, and cost. This analysis will be performed based on IEC 61400 standards and new frontiers of innovative design optimization techniques. Results: Blade design optimization showed considerable improvement in using AI-driven approaches. For the GWO algorithm, better convergence is around 20% faster than the one obtained with traditional methods. This optimized design reduces weight by 8% and improves structural durability by an increase of 25% in fatigue life. For combined blade design, the maximum value of the power coefficient is 0.27, thus showing considerable improvement compared to the conventional designs. Besides, innovative material selection and design optimization could reduce the cost index by 17.6%. Conclusion: These results highlight that incorporating AI algorithms with traditional methods has significantly enhanced wind turbine blade optimization. This methodology was developed in such a way that it achieved a balanced solution for multi-objective designs, including computational efficiency. This study stresses industrial feasibility by using advanced optimization techniques for real applications, thus demonstrating their impact on the future of wind energy technological development.

A Review on Performance Calculation and Design Methodologies for Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blades

The efficient, low-cost, and large-scale development and utilization of offshore wind energy resources is an inevitable trend for future growth. With the continuous increase in the scale of wind turbines and their expansion into deep-sea locations, there is an urgent need to develop ultra-long, flexible blades suitable for future high-capacity turbines. Existing reviews in the field of blade design lack a simultaneous focus on the two core elements of blade performance calculation and design methods, as well as a detailed evaluation of specific methods. Therefore, this paper reviews the performance calculation and design methodologies of horizontal-axis wind turbine blades from three aspects: aerodynamic design, structural design, and coupled aero-structural design. A critical introduction to various methods is provided, along with a key viewpoint centered around design philosophy: there is no global optimal solution; instead, the most suitable solution is chosen from the Pareto set according to the design philosophy. This review not only provides a concise and clear overview for researchers new to the field of blade design to quickly acquire key background knowledge but also offers valuable insights for experienced researchers through critical evaluations of various methods and the presentation of core viewpoints. The paper also includes a refined review of extended areas such as aerodynamic add-ons and fatigue characteristics, which broadens the scope of the review to touch on multiple research areas and inspire further research. In future research, it is crucial to identify new key issues and challenges associated with increased blade length and flexibility, address the challenges faced in integrated aero-structural design, and develop platforms and tools that support multi-objective optimization design of blades, ensuring the safe, stable, and orderly development of wind turbines.

Effects of Leading-edge Tubercles on the Aerodynamic Performance of Rectangular Blades for low-speed Wind Turbine Applications

The rapid depletion of conventional energy resources like fossil fuels has harmed the environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to seek alternative and sustainable energy sources. Wind energy is considered one of the efficient sources of energy that can be converted to a useful form of electrical energy. Though the field of wind engineering has developed in recent years there is still scope for improvement in the effective utilization of energy. The turbine blades' aerodynamics and the turbulent fluid flow characteristics largely determine the wind turbine's energy efficiency. Hence, in the present studies, we investigated the improvement of small wind turbine blade design by incorporating bioinspired tubercles into blades. One of the issues of small wind turbines is the low-capacity factor in power. The wind in such circumstances under buildings and other adjacent obstructions for small turbines is normally weak, unstable, and turbulent in wind speed and direction. Thus, the design of small turbines needs to be improved to capture low wind speeds and to respond quickly to turbulent wind resource areas. Biomimetics is a science that helps us adapt designs from nature to solve modern problems. The wing-like flipper of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) has a morphology with potential for aerodynamic applications. The humpback whale flipper has several sinusoidal rounded bumps, called tubercles which modify the flow over the blade surface, creating vortices between the tubercles. Therefore, we conducted an XFOIL analysis of symmetrical NACA airfoils and we observed that NACA0012 could produce the best lift/drag ratio. The airfoil was then validated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis in which the results were found comparable to that of the published data. Finally, CFD analysis was conducted for tubercles with a different pitch-to-amplitude ratio (p/A) and the tubercled airfoil with p/A of 6 provided the best result.

The effects of wind farm wakes on freezing sea spray in the mid-Atlantic offshore wind energy areas

Abstract. The USA is expanding its wind energy fleet offshore where winds tend to be strong and consistent. In the mid-Atlantic, strong winds, which promote convective heat transfer and wind-generated sea spray, paired with cold temperatures can cause ice on equipment when plentiful moisture is available. Near-surface icing is induced by a moisture flux from sea spray, which poses a risk to vessels and crews. Ice accretion on turbine rotors and blades occurs from precipitation and in-cloud icing at temperatures below freezing. Ice accretion induces load and fatigue on mechanical parts, which reduces blade performance and power production. Thus, it is crucial to understand the icing hazard across the mid-Atlantic. We analyze Weather Research and Forecasting model numerical weather prediction simulations at a coarse temporal resolution over a 21-year period to assess freezing sea spray (FSS) events over the long-term record and at finer granularity over the 2019–2020 winter season to identify the post-construction turbine impacts. Over the 2019–2020 winter season, results suggest that sea-spray-induced icing can occur up to 67 h per month at 10 m at higher latitudes. Icing events during this season typically occur during cold air outbreaks (CAOs), which are the introduction of cold continental air over the warmer maritime surface. During the 2019–2020 winter season, CAOs lasted a total duration of 202 h. While not all freezing sea spray events occurred during CAOs over the 21-year period, all CAO events had FSS present. Further, we assess the turbine–atmosphere impacts of wind plant installation on icing using the fine-scale simulation dataset. Wakes from large wind plants reduce the wind speed, which mitigates the initiation of sea spray off white-capped waves. Conversely, the near-surface turbine-induced introduction of cold air in frequent wintertime unstable conditions enhances the risk for freezing. Overall, the turbine–atmosphere interaction causes a small reduction in FSS hours within the wind plant areas, with a reduction up to 15 h in January at the 10 and 20 m heights.

Bilateral submerged abrasive waterjet peening improved high-temperature fatigue strength of titanium alloy thin-walled simplified blades

Waterjet peening has exhibited excellent performance in improving the surface integrity and fatigue life of metal components. This paper proposes a novel and efficient thin-walled simplified-blade-surface full-coverage strengthening method, namely the bilateral submerged abrasive waterjet peening process (BSA-WJP), to improve the surface integrity and fatigue strength of simplified aeroengine blades. First, the surface integrity of simplified titanium alloy TA19 blades treated with BSA-WJP at different abrasive flow rates (100, 175, and 250 g/min) was investigated. The results revealed that the lowest surface roughness value of Ra = 0.329 μm was obtained. Compressive residual stress (CRS) layers of 111–128 μm with a maximum CRS of 738 MPa were introduced to the simplified blade surface. Plastic deformation layers of 15–32 μm were formed on the simplified blade surface after BSA-WJP treatment. The microstructure of the BSA-WJP-treated simplified blade was further examined using transmission electron microscopy. It was found that ultrafine grains with an average size of 107 nm and dense dislocations were induced on the topmost surface and subsurface. Finally, the high-cycle vibration fatigue performance of the simplified TA19 blade at 450 °C was verified. The result revealed that a 13.6 % increase in the high-temperature fatigue limit of the simplified TA19 blade was achieved after BSA-WJP treatment. The fracture morphology revealed that the considerable CRS, grain refinement layer, and optimized surface morphology played significant roles in inhibiting the initiation and propagation of cracks. This study provides an effective method for improving the fatigue strength of titanium alloy thin-walled blades and has promising engineering application prospects.

Microstructure and performance of recycled wind turbine blade based 3D printed concrete

Microstructure and performance of recycled wind turbine blade based 3D printed concrete

Aerodynamic Effect of Winglet on NREL Phase VI Wind Turbine Blade

The primary goal in designing wind turbine blades is to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. One promising approach to achieve this is by modifying the blade geometry, with winglets to the tip. Winglets are intended to reduce the strength of the tip vortices, thereby reducing induced drag, increasing torque, and, ultimately, improving the power output of the wind turbines. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were utilized to assess the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine blades with and without winglets at various wind speeds (5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 20, and 25 m/s). The results indicate that winglets have a limited effect at low (5 and 7 m/s) and high (20 and 25 m/s) wind speeds due to fully attached and separated flows over the blade surface. However, within the 10–15 m/s range, winglets significantly enhance torque and power output. While this increased power generation is beneficial, it is essential to consider the potential impact of the associated increase in thrust force on turbine stability.

Numerical Study on the Static Bending Response of Cracked Wind Turbine Blades Reinforced with Graphene Platelets.

With the growing demand for wind energy, the development of advanced materials for wind turbine support structures and blades has garnered significant attention in both industry and academia. In previous research, the authors investigated the incorporation of graphene platelets (GPLs) into wind turbine blades, focusing on the structural performance and cost-effectiveness relative to conventional fiberglass composites. These studies successfully demonstrated the potential advantages of GPL reinforcement in improving blade performance and reducing the blade's weight and costs. Building upon prior work, the present study conducts a detailed investigation into the static bending behavior of GPL-reinforced wind turbine blades, specifically examining the impact of crack location and length. A finite element model of the SNL 61.5 m wind turbine blade was rigorously developed and validated through comparison with the existing literature to ensure its accuracy. Comprehensive parametric analyses were performed to assess deflection under various crack lengths and positions, considering both flapwise and edgewise bending deformations. The findings indicate that GPL-reinforced blades exhibit reduced sensitivity to crack propagation compared to traditional fiberglass blades. Furthermore, the paper presents a thorough parametric analysis of the effects of crack location and length on blade performance.

Effects of variable blowouts on aerodynamic loss reduction performance of compressor bionic blades

Abstract A passive flow control method inspired by blowouts was employed to eliminate flow separation and reduce the losses associated with higher compressor loads. The flow characteristics of a dimple-shaped cascade were investigated by implementing bionic blowout dimples on a blade suction surface and the loss-generation mechanism was analyzed. First, the reliability of the numerical simulation was confirmed via experimental validation. Subsequently, biomimetic principles were applied to arrange dimples on the suction surface of cascade blades, and the effects of several blowouts were analyzed. The analysis revealed that vortices within the dimples induced external fluid into the dimples, thereby increasing the turbulent kinetic energy of the external fluid and improving wall-adjacent flow adherence. The bionic-blowout variant dimples created a ‘rolling bearing’ effect that reduced frictional losses and effectively controlled flow separation. Within a certain blowout range, the bionic blowout variant dimples significantly improved the flow characteristics. At a −6° angle of attack, the total pressure loss of the dimple-structured cascade decreased by 35.85%, and the pressure ratio increased by 2.35%. The bionic blowout-variant dimples on the blade suction surface exhibited a three-dimensional disturbance effect. The induced vortex structures regulated the boundary layer transition and suppressed the formation of laminar separation bubbles, thereby enhancing the flow conditions near the corner region.

Optimization of Elaeis Guineensis Shell Ash Nanoparticles for Gas Turbine Blade Coating

The nanoparticles of elaeis guineensis (oil palm) kernel shell ash was developed into recipe for the fabrication of composite coatings on gas turbine blades, with electrodeposition technique employed. To prepare the electrodeposition bath; 100g/l ZnCl2, 5g/l Thiourea, 15g/l Boric acid, and 100g/l KCl were utilized and the recipe for the fabrication of the composite coatings were 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25g/l of the nanoparticles. This paper tends to analyse the various percentage weight of the recipe making up the electrolyte, with a view to investigating and ascertaining the effectiveness of the coatings derived from each composition through; coating thickness, hardness value, surface roughness, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), electrical conductivity, tribology and microstructure analysis. Whereas the results of the investigation reveal that the performance of gas turbine blade was enhanced with the composite coatings, the 20g/l composition was found to be most effective. The decrease in the performance beyond this composition is attributable to the fact that the electrolyte became too viscous to promote easy flow of electrons during electrodeposition, as was similarly observed in previous work.

Transition mechanism and loss analysis of a separated flow over herringbone riblets in a compressor cascade using the lattice Boltzmann method

Herringbone riblets were regarded as a promising approach to control the separation bubble on the compressor blade. However, the underlying mechanism requires further elucidation. And numerical simulations with body-fitted meshes often face challenges in mesh generation due to the tiny and complex geometries involved. In the present research, high-fidelity simulations using the Lattice Boltzmann Method and Immersed Boundary Method were performed to investigate the effects of herringbone riblets on separated flow in a compressor cascade. At a low Reynolds number of 90 000, a separation bubble appears on the blade suction surface. The application of herringbone riblets on the suction side surface shows that it effectively reduces the bubble length from 0.24c to 0.12c and reduces the loss coefficient by 11%. A counter-rotating mode of secondary flow occurs before the separation, with a near-wall spanwise motion from the divergent region to the convergent region and a compensating flow from the convergent region to the divergent region in the outer layer of the boundary layer. Transition occurs earlier on the suction side surface due to the complex flow patterns. Four different mechanisms are responsible for the earlier transition. Over the divergent region, engulfing of a high momentum fluid from the outer layer to the inner layer of the boundary layer suppresses the separation bubble, forcing a high-momentum passage where an attached boundary layer is observed. This thinner boundary layer leads to an earlier natural transition. Second, the discharge of fluid from the herringbone cusp causes the overflow from the riblet channel beside the divergent line, i.e., overflow transition. Meanwhile, the transition over the converging region is attributed to the accumulation of disturbance. Finally, in the middle region with yawed riblets, transition in a separated shear layer occurs earlier under the influence of adjacent transition mechanisms over the divergent/convergent region. These mechanisms also bring about a serrated structure in the downstream wake. Overall, this research confirms the role of the counter-rotating mode produced by herringbone riblets in separation control and reveals the transition mechanisms for loss production. The findings suggest that proper utilization of herringbone riblets can provide significant improvement on the compressor blade performance.

Optimisation design and experimental analysis of rotary blade reinforcing ribs using DEM-FEM techniques

This study addresses the prevalent issue of rotary blade fractures in tillage operations by designing a new type of reinforcing rib that mitigates neck force and alleviates stress concentration. Initially, utilising traditional design concepts, the side-plate reinforcing rib was segmented into units and analysed using ANSYS to develop an initial model. Evaluation indices such as specific strength structural efficiency and specific stiffness structural efficiency were employed to perform orthogonal optimisation of the rib dimensions, achieving optimal measurements of 72.9 mm in length, 15.7 mm in width, and 3.5 mm in thickness. These dimensions enhance the specific strength structural efficiency by 14.14% and the specific stiffness structural efficiency by 0.95% compared to the initial model. Further, the rib's mathematical model was refined and generalised by a curve-fitting method across different rotary blade models (IT series), followed by topological optimisation to fine-tune morphological features. This optimisation reduced the model's mass by 9.78% and improved efficiency metrics by 2.6% (strength) and 0.5% (stiffness). Comparative experiments using DEM-FEM coupled analysis were conducted on three optimised models to assess the redesigned blade's performance. The experiments evaluated key performance metrics such as neck force, maximum stress, fatigue life, and ultimate fracture stress. The results indicate that after two rounds of optimisation, the blade's neck force was reduced by 16.85%, the maximum stress decreased by 15.22%, the fatigue life increased by 76.03%, and the ultimate fracture stress improved by 20.16%. These changes align with the optimisation objectives. Subsequent control and calibration tests produced a load-strain curve that validated the simulation data with a marginal error range of 3%–10%, validating the simulation's accuracy. This research provides a robust theoretical framework for optimising the reinforcing rib and fracture resistance of rotary blades.

The evolution mechanism of ethylene-based and glass-ceramic as composited anti-seepage masking layer for Ni-based superalloy during aluminizing

This study addresses the diverse application requirements of turbine blades by utilizing a composite anti-seepage masking layer to protect the Ni-based superalloy from Al deposition during aluminizing. Simultaneously, the unmasked areas simulate blade airfoils for aluminized coating formation. Ethylene-based and glass-ceramic coatings were evaluated for anti-seepage effectiveness after aluminizing at 800 ∼ 1000 ℃. The results reveal that ethylene-based coatings prevent Al diffusion into the substrate at 800 ℃, and degradation occurs at higher temperatures. However, adding a glass-ceramic coating significantly enhances high-temperature stability and suppresses ethylene-based coating fluidity. The composited anti-seepage masking layer, with the ethylene-based and glass-ceramic coating applied twice, exhibits excellent anti-seepage masking performance on GH4169, DZ22B, and K477 superalloys, providing protection and easy removal without affecting unmasked areas. This approach improves the comprehensive performance of turbine blades, meeting the requirements of both dovetail and airfoil sections.

Automation in Agriculture: A Robotic Approach to Weed Control for Greenhouse Cucumber Cultivation

The increasing global population has heightened the demand for efficient food production, leading to the adoption of compact cultivation methods such as greenhouses. However, weed growth within these controlled environments significantly challenges crop productivity. The application of robots can be a useful and economic choice. This study presents an innovative, purely mechanical system for weed control in greenhouses, specifically designed to operate autonomously on a monorail. The machine stops in the distance between the two main plant rows (cucumber) and its arm goes into the gap to deploy the weeds by rotating its blades. This is continued repeatedly. The cutting is by the rotational speed of the blade. Variable-speed motions of the blade were at 3500, 2500 and 1500 rpm for 3 types of moulinex, triangular, and circular blades. The movement speed of the arm was 10 and 30 rpm and the forward movement speed of the machine was 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 120 rpm. The results showed that different blades, blade speeds and engine speed affect significantly (p <0.05) the percentage of weeds being cut. Although the interactions of these factors have no significant effect on percentage; the average percentages by the blades have significant differences. Although the interactions between these factors were not statistically significant, the comparison of means revealed that at lower blade speeds, the blade type had a pronounced effect on weed-cutting efficiency. As blade speed increased, differences in blade performance diminished. The most effective combination was achieved using Moulinex blades at 3500 rpm with a 10-rpm arm speed, resulting in the highest percentage of weeds cut. These findings suggest that optimizing blade type and speed can significantly enhance the mechanical weed control efficiency in greenhouse environments.

Mechanism of heterogeneous substrate stimulating growth for nickel-based single crystal superalloy

Minimizing the deviation of single-crystal (SX) primary orientation can significantly enhance the yield rate, service life, and performance of turbine blades or castings. Substrate stimulating method controls the deviation of <001> orientation within a narrower range by inducing nucleation of specific crystalline planes. In this study, during heterogeneous substrate stimulating growth for DD5 superalloy, the mechanism by which lattice misfit influences the orientation of new crystals were systematically elucidated. The study variables include substrate materials ((001) SX DD5, polycrystal DD5, and polycrystal Cu), orientations ((001), (101), (111)), cooling rates, and temperature. The target oriented grains were increased when the lattice misfit between the substrates of varying materials or orientations and new crystal were minimized. The melt undercooling decreases as the substrate cooling rate decreases, which can only stimulate the nucleation of crystalline planes with lower energy barriers (characterized by minimal lattice misfit). The thermal gradient in the melt decreases and the lattice misfit simultaneously decreases as the substrate temperature increases, these two factors jointly contribute to stimulating grains with lower lattice misfit. The substrate temperature leads to more pronounced variation in the proportion of target grains, than does the substrate cooling rate.

Bio-inspired Design and Performance Evaluation of Lawnmower Cutter Blade

This study presents a bio-inspired design approach for the engineering applications of agricultural implements, with practical implications for the field. The CAD modeling of bio-inspired serrated lawnmower cutter blades was followed by structural and fatigue analysis with a comparative evaluation of the performance of conventional plain cutter blades. This method involved the bionic transformation of a biological model of the serrated leg of the grasshopper, traced using MATLAB edge detection and image processing software. The solid modeling CAD software for the Bionic Blade lawnmower cutter blade converts this biological model into an engineering model. After designing the geometric shape of the bionic tooth profile's serrated cutting edge, the boundary conditions are evaluated for numerical simulation based on the machine specifications of the conventional lawnmower cutter. After analyzing the power of the motor, the rotational speed, and the torque, the static structural and fatigue analysis was carried out in numerical simulation software to synthesize the performance of the bionic lawnmower cutter blade for engineering analysis of deformation, shear stress, and fatigue life. The bionic design of the blade and conventional plain blades were manufactured using an Amada CO2 laser cutting machine and sheet metal bending processes for Stainless Steel (SS 304) material. The experimental validation of software simulation was carried out by field trials using the Bionic design of a lawnmower cutter blade to evaluate the performance improvement in cutting time and yield of grass cut in kg for 60 to 100 meters distance cutting. After comparing the performance of the plain blade and the design of the bionic blade, there was a reduction in abrasive wear, a 12.87% improvement in the cutting time, and a 14.8% increase in the yield of grass compared to the conventional blade. This performance improvement was attributed to the unique bionic design of serrated cutting-edge and ground clearance. The bio-inspired design approach has immense practical applications in designing agricultural implements, as confirmed by this performance evaluation of this case study of bio-inspired lawnmower cutter blades.

Investigating the Performance of Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) in the Marine Environment for Tidal Energy: Velocity, Particle Size, Impact Angle and Exposure Time Effects

Tidal energy, with its potential to provide a consistent energy output and reduce carbon emissions, has garnered significant interest. This study, which evaluates the performance of tidal turbine blades in seawater conditions and with sand particles, presents a novel approach. A slurry rig was developed to examine composite materials, and a glass fibre-reinforcement polymeric material was tested over a range of particle sizes, velocities, and impact angles. In addition, this paper used a new test protocol with 14 days (336 h) and 91 days (2184 h) of pre-exposure time of materials before testing. The results, which show significant changes in the erosive mechanisms of GFRP in short- and long-term pre-exposure time as a function of these variables, have profound implications for the design and performance of tidal turbine blades. The study also utilised scanning electron microscopy (SEM), depth profiling analysis, and erosion mapping techniques to compare the erosion behaviours of GFRP. These tools can be used to optimise such materials in tidal turbine conditions.