This thesis considers the effect of disruptive waves and turbulence on a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine (TST), in terms of performance and survivability. The TST reaction to transient fluid flow is modelled analytically using Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT). Standard BEMT corrections are evaluated for the TST application and an alternative optimisation method is proposed for the steady state BEMT, improving compatibility with transient and depth dependent inflow, as well as the non-dimensionalisation constant needed to calculate the performance coefficients. Also, an alternative BEMT tip and hub loss implementation has led to a significant improvement of the turbine axial force prediction and in the high induction region. Validation studies are presented for BEMT coupled with regular, nonlinear wave theory and good agreement is found with published experimental data. A novel method to simulate irregular sea states is developed to couple with BEMT and a combined reactive coupling of waves and current is implemented. The TST performance in an irregular sea state is considered against turbine performance with real ADCP data and a good agreement is found. This work evaluates the BEMT implementation for the specific application of modelling TST's and significantly improves the fundamental theory, applicability and quality of results in this case.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:678613 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Buckland, Hannah |
| Publisher | Swansea University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42509 |
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