CFD Simulations of Under Water Turbine in Gulf Stream Using RANS Method

The principal objective of this numerical study is to investigate the hydrodynamic behavior of horizontal axis underwater turbine in the Gulf Stream. The CFD analysis provides detailed information about the local flow and the performance of the underwater turbine under varying flow conditions. Three dimensional simulations were performed using a 5.6 meter diameter turbine with 3 blades. The finite volume method was used to solve the equations of conservation of mass and momentum and turbulence (k-ε equations). The flow field, turbulence, pressure distribution on the turbine blades and turbine power were obtained for a range of water speed (1–6 m/s) and rotation speed of turbine (1–10 rad/s). The z-velocity profiles behind the turbine were used to calculate the induction factor a, the power coefficient Cp and the total power P from the turbine. The results show a turbine power coefficient of 33% to 37.5% with an induction factors between 0.10 and 0.12.