Session: 09-03-02 Tidal Energy: Hydrodynamics

Paper Number: 120896

120896 - Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Diffuser Inlet Opening Angles on the Performance of a Drag-Based Hydrokinetic Turbine 

The high potential of ocean energy as a renewable energy source is widely recognized. The ocean energy can be efficiently harnessed by hydrokinetic turbines (HKTs), which utilize the kinetic energy of ocean currents for power generation. Researchers continuously refine the HKT designs and explore strategies to maximize energy capture from the ocean environment. However, challenges persist in extracting the ocean energy using HKTs, particularly in regions with slow flow velocities.  The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of introducing a diffuser into an HKT design configuration on the power output performance. Numerical simulations are performed in this study by solving the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations with the renormalized group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model. To further explore the design of the diffuser, a parametric study is conducted by varying the inlet opening angles (θ_i = 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°).  The power output performance of the HKT model for these cases is examined. The results demonstrate that introducing a diffuser into the HKT design configuration can enhance power output performance. Specifically, the most significant flow velocity amplification is observed at the throat (mid-section) of the diffuser, resulting in a remarkable improvement in power generation by the HKT. In conclusion, the introduction of a diffuser into the HKT design configuration enhances the overall power generation efficiency of HKT compared to configurations without a diffuser.

Presenting Author: Cheng Yee Ng Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Cheng Yee Ng is a dedicated professional in Offshore Engineering, currently serving as the Programme Manager for the Master of Science in Offshore Engineering and a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). She is a proud alumna of UTP, having completed her BEng in Civil Engineering in 2008, followed by an MSc (2010) and a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in Offshore Structures, in 2014. Dr. Cheng Yee Ng returned to UTP as a lecturer in 2014 and is now deeply engrossed in research areas such as Engineering Education, Offshore Structures, Wave Hydrodynamics, and Marine Renewable Energy. She has had the privilege of contributing to global knowledge exchange by accepting an invitation as a Visiting Scholar at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Indonesia, Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey and Dulaty Taraz University (DU), Kazakhstan. She took on a data analyst role in UTP's Project Management Office earlier. She also holds the title of Lean Six-Sigma Greenbelt Practitioner, reflecting her commitment to professional growth in the field of Offshore Engineering.

Authors:

Cheng Yee Ng Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Nauman Maldar Riyaz Stevens Institute of Technology
Muk Chen Ong University of Stavanger