A numerical investigation into the effect of diffusers on the performance of hydro kinetic turbines using a validated momentum source turbine model
Kinetic hydropower involves the use of hydro turbines, submerged within existing currents for power generation. They are applicable to ocean and tidal currents, rivers, and human-made channels. This versatility gives them advantages over conventional hydropower, however they suffer from low power de...
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Published in | Renewable energy Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 1152 - 1158 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford
Elsevier Ltd
01.06.2010
Elsevier |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Kinetic hydropower involves the use of hydro turbines, submerged within existing currents for power generation. They are applicable to ocean and tidal currents, rivers, and human-made channels. This versatility gives them advantages over conventional hydropower, however they suffer from low power densities. This numerical study investigates the use of diffusers to enhance the performance and viability of kinetic hydro turbines. To simplify the problem, the turbine is modeled as a momentum source region, a strategy that is first validated against Betz theory. The diffuser configuration produces 3.1 times more power than the turbine with no diffuser. A scaling analysis also shows a turbine with a diffuser outperforms a larger size turbine with no diffuser. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0960-1481 1879-0682 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.renene.2009.11.023 |