A comparison between blade element actuator disk and actuator line methods for a tidal turbine

Abstract eng:
In this paper the operation of a tidal turbine has been simulated using the blade element actuator disk (BEAD) and actuator line (AL) methods for different values of tip speed ratio (TSR). Results show that the BEAD and AL give close results for power (CP) and thrust (CT) coefficients which agree well with the experiment [1]. On the other hand it is observed that for corresponding cases solved by the BEAD and AL, moving downstream, the wake experiences smaller velocity change behind the rotor centre in the AL method. This can be attributed to the presence of coherent root vortex structures which are captured in the AL method. In addition it is noted that the BEAD method, because of its averaged actuator disk methodology is not able to expose the flow unsteadiness as well as the AL method.

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