Straight-bladed Vertical Axis Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion

(Effect of Guide Vane Shape on the Performance)

Abstract

A straight-bladed vertical axis turbine for wave energy conversion has been proposed in order to develop a novel air turbine suitable for oscillating water column based on wave energy plant. The objective of this study is to show the effect of guide vane shape on the performance of straight-bladed vertical axis turbine. The experimental study was carried out by a wind tunnel. The rotor has four straight blades with a profile of NACA0018, a chord length of 80.5 mm, a pitch diameter of 460 mm and a blade width of 490 mm. The guide vane consists of some arc plates. Further, flows around the proposed turbine have been investigated by use of MPS (Moving Particle Semi-implicit) method. It is found that the setting angle of guide vane θ suitable for the proposed turbine is obtained in the case of θ = -5°.