Optimization of blade curvature and inter-rotor spacing of Savonius rotors for maximum wave energy extraction

Ahmed, Mohammed R. and Faizal, Mohammed and Lee, Y.H. (2013) Optimization of blade curvature and inter-rotor spacing of Savonius rotors for maximum wave energy extraction. Ocean Engineering, 65 . pp. 32-38. ISSN 0029-8018

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Abstract

The water particles are known to undergo orbital motion in wave motion. This orbital motion was studied and seven Savonius rotors with same diameters but different blade angles were constructed and tested in a wave channel to find the optimum blade angle. Experiments were carried out in a two-dimensional wave channel on intermediate depth waves. The submergence of the rotors below the mean water level was varied. The optimum blade curvature for maximum energy extraction was found to be 70o from the rpm measurements. Two arrays of rotors with this blade curvature were then employed at different depths to study the energy extraction from the orbital motion. The flow around the rotors was documented with particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. It was found that the optimum performance of the rotors is obtained at the minimum spacing between the rotors. Experiments carried out with two arrays showed that the maximum energy extraction from the orbiting particles takes place when the gap between the upper and lower arrays is less. This concept can be extended to multiple arrays with reducing rotor diameters at deeper submergences.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Wave energy, Orbital motion, Savonius rotor, Particle imagevelocimetry
Subjects:	T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Engineering and Physics
Depositing User:	M. Rafiuddin Ahmed
Date Deposited:	19 Apr 2013 05:19
Last Modified:	12 Jun 2016 21:36
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/5675

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