Analysis of blade's chord length with NACA0015 profile for enhanced wave energy conversion of Wells turbine

Kha Tuan Tran Huynh; Khoa Anh Vo; Vay Siu Lo; Thien Tich Truong

doi:10.15625/0866-7136/22011

Author affiliations

Authors

Kha Tuan Tran Huynh $^{1}$ Department of Engineering Mechanics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
$^{2}$ Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0544-4542
Khoa Anh Vo $^{1}$ Department of Engineering Mechanics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
$^{2}$ Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8048-8679
Vay Siu Lo $^{1}$ Department of Engineering Mechanics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
$^{2}$ Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1740-0257
Thien Tich Truong $^{1}$ Department of Engineering Mechanics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
$^{2}$ Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3371-8890

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7136/22011

Keywords:

wave energy conversion, Wells turbine, chord length, ANSYS fluent

Abstract

This paper investigates the enhancement of Wells turbine blades by modifying the chord length design parameter. The Wells turbine, a promising device in wave energy conversion systems, faces a limited operating range due to flow separation, which restricts its efficiency at higher flow rates. Enhancing the performance of the Wells turbine is crucial for effective wave energy exploitation. The computational simulations in this study are conducted using ANSYS Fluent. Turbine performance is evaluated based on non-dimensional torque, pressure torque, and efficiency, derived from solving the steady 3D incompressible Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The results are validated against reliable references, showing good agreement. The numerical findings reveal that altering the turbine chord length significantly impacts efficiency. Optimizing the chord length enhances the Wells turbine's performance in wave energy conversion, making it a more viable option for renewable energy power generation.

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