Design of impulse turbine with an end plate for wave energy conversion

Abstract

This paper deals with the design and aerodynamic analysis of a special-type impulse turbine having an end plate for wave energy conversion. Numerical analysis was performed using a CFD code, FLUENT. The main idea of the proposed end plate was to minimize the adverse effect of tip clearance of turbine blade, and borrowed from ducted propeller with so-called penetrating end plate for special purpose marine vehicles. Results show that the efficiency increases up to 5% depending on flow coefficient, the higher flow coefficient yielding the better efficiency. Decrease of input coefficient CA with an end plate is the main reason of higher efficiency. Performance of end plate at various design parameters as well as flow conditions was investigated, and the advantages and the disadvantages of the present impulse turbine were also discussed. Copyright ？ 2005 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.