The research presented in this thesis utilizes Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory with a
dynamic wake model to customize the OrcaFlex numeric simulation platform in order to allow
modeling of moored Ocean Current Turbines (OCTs). This work merges the advanced cable modeling
tools available within OrcaFlex with well documented BEM rotor modeling approach creating a
combined tool that was not previously available for predicting the performance of moored ocean
current turbines. This tool allows ocean current turbine developers to predict and optimize the
performance of their devices and mooring systems before deploying these systems at sea. The BEM
rotor model was written in C++ to create a back-end tool that is fed continuously updated data on the
OCT’s orientation and velocities as the simulation is running. The custom designed code was written
specifically so that it could operate within the OrcaFlex environment. An approach for numerically
modeling the entire OCT system is presented, which accounts for the additional degree of freedom
(rotor rotational velocity) that is not accounted for in the OrcaFlex equations of motion. The properties
of the numerically modeled OCT were then set to match those of a previously numerically modeled
Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) OCT system and comparisons were
made. Evaluated conditions include: uniform axial and off axis currents, as well as axial and off axis wave fields. For comparison purposes these conditions were applied to a geodetically fixed rotor, showing nearly identical results for the steady conditions but varied, in most cases still acceptable accuracy, for the wave environment. Finally, this entire moored OCT system was evaluated in a dynamic environment to help quantify the expected behavioral response of SNMREC’s turbine under uniform current. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_13068 |
| Contributors | Hacker, Basil L. (author), Ananthakrishnan, Palaniswamy (Thesis advisor), VanZwieten, James H. (Thesis advisor), College of Engineering and Computer Science (Degree grantor), Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 78 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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