Experimental wave flume study of Savonius-type multiple rotor arrays

Abstract

An array of horizontal axis Savonius-type three-part rotors, each consisting of three blades, is designed and built in-house to conduct performance analysis experiments for a parallel tandem arrangement in a wave flume at different wave physical and positioning conditions. The experiments are performed at different wave heights, wave periods, and longitudinal spacings between the rotors, and their submergence positions are for a previously adjusted constant water depth. The power output and wave-to-mechanical energy conversion efficiency of the "first rotor," only in a singleand three-rotor array arrangement, is comparatively studied both qualitatively and quantitatively to determine the optimum centre-to-centre spacing between the rotors as well as the wave physical characteristics at intermediate-to-shallow water depths. It is found that a higher rotational speed can be attained at a higher wave height, centreto-centre rotor spacing and/or wave period until the water wave overtops or breaks down at larger wave periods. A submergence level that is very close to the water's surface is also found to have a positive influence on the rotor performance, while a positive submergence level has a negative effect. The present study suggests that experimental solutions within the wave-current flume can provide a proper guideline for the performance analysis of such device(s) for further studies of the optimization of the design of Savonius type multi-rotor arrays under different operating conditions, if suitable geometry dimensioning, i.e., scaling issues, submergence positioning, rotor spacing, and physical flow conditions, are provided in accordance with the existing water depth. V C 2015 AIP Publishing LLC. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4938146] 063125-2 M. Tutar and I. Veci J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 7, 063125 (2015) 063125-5 M. Tutar and I. Veci J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 7, 063125 (2015) 063125-6 M. Tutar and I. Veci J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 7, 063125 (2015) 063125-12 M. Tutar and I. Veci J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 7, 063125 (2015)

Investigation of Wave Characteristics with Rotor Type Water Wave Generator

“…10 inch blade displaces large volume of water causes to reduce the rpm and leads to have lower momentum as compared with the 8 inch blade. Tutar and Veci [19] also observed that the rotational speed of the rotor influence the water wave height, in fact, higher rotational speed leads to have higher water wave height. However, the figure shows that the wave height gradually increases with the increase of the water depth.…”

“…The flow around the rotor was studied with particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Tutar and Veci [19] carried out experimental study on rotor type wave generator and found that placement of the rotor on the water surface and number of blades makes significant contribution on water wave energy. In another study Tutar and Veci [20] showed that the wave height and wave period along the submergible condition like shallow or deep water depth influence the wave energy conversion efficiency.…”