Optimization of Blade Geometry of Savonius Hydrokinetic Turbine Based onGenetic Algorithm

Savonius hydrokinetic turbine is a kind of turbine set which is suitable for low-velocity conditions.Unlike conventional turbines,Savonius turbines employ S-shaped blades and have simple internal structures.Therefore,there is a large space for optimizing the blade geometry.In this study,computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation and genetic algorithm(GA)were used for the optimal design.The optimization strategies and methods were determined by comparing the results calculated by CFD with the experimental results.The weighted objective function was constructed with the maximum power coefficient Cp and the high-power coefficient range R under multiple working conditions.GA helps to find the optimal individual of the objective function.Compared the optimal scheme with the initial scheme,the overlap ratioβincreased from 0.2 to 0.202,and the clearance ratioεincreased from 0 to 0.179,the blade circumferential angleγincreased from 0°to 27°,the blade shape extended more towards the spindle.The overall power of Savonius turbines was maintained at a high level over 22%,R also increased from 0.73 to 1.02.In comparison with the initial scheme,the energy loss of the optimal scheme at high blade tip speed is greatly reduced,and this reduction is closely related to the optimization of blade geometry.As R becomes larger,Savonius turbines can adapt to the overall working conditions and meet the needs of its work in low flow rate conditions.The results of this paper can be used as a reference for the hydrodynamic optimization of Savonius turbine runners.

Evaluation of the Power Generation Capacity of Hydrokinetic Generator Device Using Computational Analysis and Hydrodynamic Similitude

This paper presents a similitude and computational analysis of the performance of a scaled-down model of a paddle wheel style hydrokinetic generator device used for generating power from the flow of a river. The paddle wheel dimensions used in this work are one-thirtieth scale of the full-size paddle wheel. The reason for simulating the scaled-down model was to prepare for the testing of a scaled-down physical prototype. Computational Fluid Dynamics using ANSYS Fluent 14.0 software was used for the computational analysis. The scaled-down dimensions were used in the simulations to predict the power that can be generated from the scaled size model of the paddle wheel, having carried out similitude analysis between the scaled down size and its full-size. The dimensionless parameters employed in achieving similitude are the Strouhal number, power coefficient, and pressure coefficient. The power estimation of the full-size was predicted from the scaled size of the paddle wheel based on the similitude analysis.

Potential Hydrodynamic Performance Enhancement of Hydrokinetic Turbine with Hydrophobic Coatings

Hydrokinetic energy is a promising technology to harness predictable renewable energy from free-flowing water,tides and ocean currents.Many studies have been conducted by researchers and engineers to find out ways to enhance the performance of the hydrokinetic turbine.The current paper reports the experimental study of using hydrophobic coating as an alternative way to improve the performance of hydrokinetic turbine.A hydrophobic coating can lower the friction drag of a surface that is in contact with liquid.For hydrokinetic turbine blade,reduction in friction drag may allow a blade section to have a better lift/drag ratio and have its efficiency improved.In this study,a formula to predict the pattern of drag reduction over a hydrophobic surface has been derived.Two hydrophobic coatings were applied on NACA 63418 hydrofoils and their performances were tested.It was found that NACA 63418 hydrofoil with the hydrophobic coatings had its drag reduced by an average of 3%−4.0%.When the coatings were applied on a 350 mm diameter three-bladed turbine,the maximum increment of rotational speed of the turbine was found to be 2.5%.The performance of the two coatings against marine fouling was also investigated.The weight of plate with and without the coatings increased by 10%and 100%,respectively.

Design of Circular Arc Blade Hydrokinetic Turbine—A Case of Rural Electrification in Zambia

The rate of electrification in rural areas in Zambia is very low, currently standing at less than 5% despite having abundant flowing water resources. Hydrokinetic technology is an alternative among other promising technologies for rural area electrification because of availability of abundant flowing Rivers and low population in rural settlement. In this paper, the author designed and numerically simulated a circular arc blade hydrokinetic turbine system. The design power for the horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbine was 3 kW at water velocity of 3 m/s with the tip speed ratio of 2.5, angle of attack of 10 degrees and power coefficient of 0.4. In this work, a numerical simulation was employed to characterize and develop the horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbine. The prototype circular arc blade horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbine was tested in one of stream in Zambia and the results were compared with the numerical simulation results.

Exploring the Project Potential of Marine Current Turbines: A Case Study in the Southern Brazilian Shelf Region

The application of marine current turbines for electricity generation could offer a distinct advantage over other renewable energy sources due to the regular and predictable nature of this resource. This paper details the application of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a possible tool for decision makers to better understand the environment and the impacts of the marine current turbines. The best areas for generating energy from the currents were found using a tridimensional model (TELEMAC3D). In addition to applying the energy conversion module, these regions were also evaluated for energy production, which was then applied to the AHP. Several databases (Transmission and Transport, Socioeconomic, Conservation Units, Endangered Species and Geological Information) were compared to minimize decision deviation. The results showed the viability of the northern region of the Southern Brazilian Shelf (SBS) as a possible area to harvest energy from the currents, as much of the studied region was limited by human activities in the coastal zone and sensitive biological resources.

3D fully-enclosed triboelectric nanogenerator with bionic fish-like structure for harvesting hydrokinetic energy

The hydrokinetic energy of river current,as one of the essential and widespread renewable energies,is difficult to be harvested in low flow velocity and shallow water areas.In this work,a three-dimensional(3D)fully-enclosed triboelectric nanogenerator(FETENG)with bionic fish-like structure for harvesting hydrokinetic energy is reported,which is comprised of the triboelectric powergeneration unit,bionic fish-like structure and connection unit.Through the bionic structure,the FE-TENG realizes zero head power generation in shallow water with low flow velocity.What’s more,the effect of external excitations and bionic structures on the electrical performance are systematically studied in this work.The FE-TENG can generate peak power density of 7 and 0.36 W/m^(3)respectively under the simulated swing state with frequency of 1.25 Hz and simulated river current with flow velocity of 0.81 m/s.In practical applications,due to the 3D fully-enclosed design,the FE-TENG immersed in water for 35 days demonstrates excellent immersion durability with undiminished electrical performance.Therefore,the work proposes an efficient method realizing zero head power generation,and provides a good candidate for long-term service in the river current.