WAKE CHARACTERIZATION IN ROW ARRAY OF HYDROKINETICS TURBINES

Abstract

This study aims to obtain wake information, which passes through a linear array of turbines. Is presented a numerical approach to observe what effect can be obtained from a 2.2 meters turbines set. The linear array parameters were based on the Hydro-k project, in which two unconfined in-line rotors were used. The studies were performed by analyzing three variables: mean normalized velocity, turbulence kinetic energy and turbulence intensity. It was noted that the iteration between the rotors alters the flow on the array of turbines increasing the center speed.