CDF Analysis of the External Rotor of a Tidal Kinetic Turbine Prototype

The purpose of this paper to evaluate the interaction between the flow and the blade of a double rotor turbine prototype with an external diameter of 1 m and 6 blades for each rotor. The calculus is carried out by a three dimensional analysis using the commercial code Fluent. In the present work, the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach is used, with the two-equation Realizable k- e turbulence model. The blades profile is a NACA 4412 interacting with a flow in motion at an attack angle of 4°, constant along the blade height. The knowledge of the forces acting on the blades allows a more accurate evaluation for the two contra rotating rotors machine power and power coefficient (Cp), previously estimated by the traditional mono dimensional formulas. Finally a good estimation of the prototype power allows a better permanent magnet generator design built in the machine.