Flow Characteristics in an Augmentation Channel of a Direct Drive Turbine for Wave Power Generation

Cross flow turbine also known as Banki turbine, is a hydraulic turbine that may be classified as an impulse turbine. At present it has gained interest in small and low head establishments because of its simple structure, cost effectiveness and low maintenance. Therefore, the present paper expands on this idea and aims at implementing the Direct Drive Turbine (DDT) for wave power generation. Wave power has enormous amount of energy which is environmentally friendly, renewable and can be exploited to satisfy the energy needs. A Numerical Wave Tank (NWT) was used to simulate the sea conditions and after obtaining desired wave properties; the augmentation channel plus the front guide nozzle and rear chamber were integrated to the NWT. The augmentation channel consisted of a front nozzle, rear nozzle and an internal fluid region which represented the turbine housing. The front and rear nozzle were geometrically identical. Two different nozzle configurations were studied; spiral rear wall type and a straight re...