0704 Experimental Study on the Straight-bladed Vertical Axis Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion : Effect of Guide Vanes on the Performance and Starting Characteristics

Abstract

A straight-bladed vertical axis turbine for wave energy conversion has been proposed in order to develop a novel air turbine suitable for OWC based on wave energy plant. The objective of this study is to clarify the effect of guide vane on the performance and the starting characteristics of the straight-bladed vertical axis turbine. Performances of the proposed turbine under steady flow conditions have been investigated experimentally by using a wind tunnel. The tested rotor has some straight blades with a profile of NACA0018, a pitch diameter of 460 mm and a width of 490 mm. Starting characteristics of the proposed turbine have been simulated by using quasi-steady analysis.