The effect of a barnacle-shaped excrescence on the hydrodynamic performance of a tidal turbine blade section

Walker, J.S., Green, R.B. , Gillies, E.A. and Phillips, C. (2020) The effect of a barnacle-shaped excrescence on the hydrodynamic performance of a tidal turbine blade section. Ocean Engineering, 217, 107849. (doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107849)

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Abstract

Efficient tidal turbine designs rely upon the hydrodynamic performance of the turbine blade sections. A significant consideration for the likely power generation capacity of a tidal turbine is the effect of biofouling on the blade performance. A turbine blade surface is susceptible to large scale macrofouling, mainly from encrusters, such as barnacles and molluscs, colonising the developing surface. This paper considers the case of when a barnacle attaches to the upper (suction) surface of the blade section. Results of experiments to investigate the unsteady flow characteristics of the blade section are presented, and the modification of the hydrodynamic performance coefficients due to the presence of a barnacle is evaluated. The barnacle has no significant effect upon the lift in steady flow and unsteady flow, but there is a very large increase in the drag. Dependent upon the degree of barnacle encrustation, the effect on a turbine blade drag may be significant and lead to a degradation of a turbine predicted performance.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Green, Dr Richard and Walker, John and Gillies, Dr Eric
Authors: Walker, J.S., Green, R.B., Gillies, E.A., and Phillips, C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
Journal Name:Ocean Engineering
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0029-8018
ISSN (Online):1873-5258
Published Online:28 August 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in Ocean Engineering 217:107849
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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