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The accuracy of the actuator disc-RANS approach for predicting the performance and far wake of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine

The accuracy of the actuator disc-RANS approach for predicting the performance and far wake of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine
The accuracy of the actuator disc-RANS approach for predicting the performance and far wake of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine
The actuator disc-RANS model has been widely used in wind and tidal energy to predict the wake of a horizontal axis turbine. The model is appropriate where large scale effects of the turbine on a flow are of interest, for example, when considering environmental impacts, or arrays of devices. The accuracy of the model for modelling the wake of tidal stream turbines has not been demonstrated, and flow predictions presented in the literature for similar modelled scenarios vary significantly. This paper compares the results of the actuator disc-RANS model, where the turbine forces have been derived using a blade element approach, to experimental data measured in the wake of a scaled turbine. It also compares the results to those of a simpler uniform actuator disc model. The comparisons show that the model is accurate and can predict up to 94% of the variation in the experimental data measured on the centreline of the wake. The study demonstrates that the actuator-disc RANS model is an accurate approach for modelling a turbine wake, and conservative approach to predict performance and loads. It can therefore be applied to similar scenarios with confidence.
tidal energy, actuator disc, rans, cfd, wake
1364-503X
1-15
Batten, W.M.J.
8a6a68c7-b614-4f62-9d56-54eb38a45a94
Harrison, M.E.
553f4973-0237-422c-8656-72e3a249f0dc
Bahaj, A.S.
a64074cc-2b6e-43df-adac-a8437e7f1b37
Batten, W.M.J.
8a6a68c7-b614-4f62-9d56-54eb38a45a94
Harrison, M.E.
553f4973-0237-422c-8656-72e3a249f0dc
Bahaj, A.S.
a64074cc-2b6e-43df-adac-a8437e7f1b37

Batten, W.M.J., Harrison, M.E. and Bahaj, A.S. (2013) The accuracy of the actuator disc-RANS approach for predicting the performance and far wake of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 371 (1985), 1-15. (doi:10.1098/rsta.2012.0293).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The actuator disc-RANS model has been widely used in wind and tidal energy to predict the wake of a horizontal axis turbine. The model is appropriate where large scale effects of the turbine on a flow are of interest, for example, when considering environmental impacts, or arrays of devices. The accuracy of the model for modelling the wake of tidal stream turbines has not been demonstrated, and flow predictions presented in the literature for similar modelled scenarios vary significantly. This paper compares the results of the actuator disc-RANS model, where the turbine forces have been derived using a blade element approach, to experimental data measured in the wake of a scaled turbine. It also compares the results to those of a simpler uniform actuator disc model. The comparisons show that the model is accurate and can predict up to 94% of the variation in the experimental data measured on the centreline of the wake. The study demonstrates that the actuator-disc RANS model is an accurate approach for modelling a turbine wake, and conservative approach to predict performance and loads. It can therefore be applied to similar scenarios with confidence.

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More information

Published date: 28 February 2013
Keywords: tidal energy, actuator disc, rans, cfd, wake
Organisations: Energy & Climate Change Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 334100
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/334100
ISSN: 1364-503X
PURE UUID: b50cd20e-baa7-4efd-a946-9092ecd1c6e2
ORCID for A.S. Bahaj: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0043-6045

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Date deposited: 06 Mar 2012 09:50
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:32

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Contributors

Author: W.M.J. Batten
Author: M.E. Harrison
Author: A.S. Bahaj ORCID iD

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