The horizontal axis tidal stream turbine with a mono-pile foundation is one of the most used devices for the exploitation of tidal stream energy, because of its convenience and low expense in construction and high efficiency in extracting energy. A 3D hydrodynamic model is developed to investigate flow field around the tidal stream turbine subjected to a steady current. After verified with the previous experimental works, the numerical model is used to study the complex flow motion around the horizontal axis tidal stream turbine with a mono-pile foundation. The numerical results show that the existence of tidal stream turbine may largely change the flow dynamics. A wake region with low velocity is formed behind the device. Water surface in front of the turbine fluctuates periodically. It is also found that the installing elevation of the turbine and the incoming flow speed have significant impacts on the mean kinetic energy and the resulting fluid force of the rotating turbine.
Experimental study of wake structure behind a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine
