Abstract
The development of a hydro-kinetic prototype was shown including the
compound structure, guide vanes, runner blades and a draft tube section
with a steeply sloping, short spoiler. The design process of the
hydrodynamic layout was split into three major steps. First the compound
and the draft tube section was designed and the best operating point
was identified using porous media as replacement for the guide vane
and runner section (step one). The best operating point and the volume
flux as well as the pressure drop was identified and used for the
design of the guide vane section and the runner section. Both were
designed and simulated independently (step two). In step three, all
parts were merged in stationary simulation runs detecting peak power
and operational bandwidth. In addition, the full scale demonstrator
was installed in August 2010 and measured in the St. Lawrence River
in Quebec supporting the average inflow velocity using ADCP (Acoustic
Doppler Current Profiler) and the generator power output over the
variable rotational speed. Simulation data and measurements are in
good agreement. Thus, the presented approach is a suitable way in
designing a hydro kinetic turbine.
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