Ajit Thakker

Bio: Ajit Thakker is an academic researcher from Saga University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Rotor (electric) & Wells turbine. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 21 citations.

Wells turbine for wave energy conversion: a review

Abstract: In the past twenty years, the use of wave energy systems has significantly increased, generally depending on the oscillating water column (OWC) concept. Wells turbine is one of the most efficient OWC technologies. This article provides an updated and a comprehensive account of the state of the art research on Wells turbine. Hence, it draws a roadmap for the contemporary challenges which may hinder future reliance on such systems in the renewable energy sector. In particular, the article is concerned with the research directions and methodologies which aim at enhancing the performance and efficiency of Wells turbine. The article also provides a thorough discussion of the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for performance modeling and design optimization of Wells turbine. It is found that a numerical model using the CFD code can be employed successfully to calculate the performance characteristics of W-T as well as other experimental and analytical methods. The increase of research papers about CFD, especially in the last five years, indicates that there is a trend that considerably depends on the CFD method.

Improved design of Wells turbine for wave energy conversion using entropy generation

Abstract: In this paper, a comparison of total entropy generation between a suggested design and a constant chord Wells turbine is presented. A variable chord rotor Wells turbine design is suggested in order to have a more uniform axial velocity distribution at blades leading edge in comparing conventional design to improve turbine efficiency. Each model is analysed numerically with respect to the total entropy generation due to viscous dissipation around rotor blades. Simulations have been performed by numerical solving of the steady, incompressible, three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes together with RNG k–e turbulence model equations in a non-inertial reference frame rotating with the turbine rotor. A comparison of the computed results with the available experimental data exhibits agreement in terms of efficiency, torque and input coefficients at different flow rates. Finally, the detailed comparisons of the results are done between the suggested design and the conventional Wells turbine, demonstrating a 26.02 % average decrease in entropy generation throughout the full operating range, hence supporting the superiority of the new design.

Effect of Blade Profile on the Performance of Wells Turbine under Unidirectional Sinusoidal and Real Sea Flow Conditions

Abstract: This paper presents the effect of blade profile and rotor solidity on the performance of Wells turbine operating under unidirectional unsteady flow conditions. In the study, four kinds of blade profile were selected, that is, NACA0020, NACA0015, CA9, and HSIM 15-262123-1576. The experiments have been carried out for two solidities, σ = 0.48 and σ = 0.64, under sinusoidal and irregular unsteady flow conditions based on Irish waves (site2). As a result, it was found that the preferable rotor geometry is the one with blade profile of CA9 with solidity σ = 0.64. In addition, the effect of blade profile and rotor solidity on hysteretic characteristics of the turbine has been clarified experimentally and it was found to be in good agreement qualitatively when compared to numerical results (Setoguchi et al. (2003)).