Abstract
A drag type vertical axis wind turbine “rotation flow wind turbine” developed by Hirosaki University is being investigated as a power source of directly-driven seawater pumping in seagrass seedling production. In order to put the pumping system into practical use, we first selected a commercially used vane pump and measured its characteristics as well as the aerodynamic properties of the wind turbine in the wind tunnel before designing the pumping system. The designed system was installed at the Tairadate fishing port (Ishizaki area) in Sotogahama, Aomori Prefecture, the wind speed, rotation speed, and torque were measured when the wind turbine was pumping water in natural wind. As the results, similar performance was recognized with both the aerodynamic properties in the wind tunnel and the designed parameter of the pumping system. However a small decrease in the pumping amount was observed due to the inflow of air into the pump originated from worm of cover during long-term operation. Therefore, it was considered necessary to take measures to prevent the inflow of air, such as submerging the pump in seawater.
