CFD applied to the behavior of hydrokinetic turbines without and with biofouling

Abstract

This publication is oriented to the analysis of the order in the research process to ensure that it leads us to an optimal condition to apply CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to the simulation of the behavior of parts of hydrokinetic turbines (especially blades) submerged in the sea and the effect on the boundary layer and the parameters (torque, dynamic pressure, speed, etc.) of the fluid before biofouling.

The effect of roughness or damage to the blades affects the parameters in hydrokinetic turbines (in wind turbines as well), since any wing modification affects the Cp (power coefficient: determining factor of the energy production system of a hydrokinetic turbine).

In our case and in order to predict the effect of barnacle fouling on the performance of the propeller, roughness functions of barnacle fouling obtained experimentally in our coastal area (access channel to Puerto Belgrano) will be used.

The research process is based on the placement of specimens and monitoring with the use of the wind tunnel to model and apply CFD, so that the simulation model allows predicting the effect of biofouling with monitoring on the variables of design.