Performance of Wells turbine with guide vanes for wave energy conversion

In order to improve the performance of a Wells turbine, the effect of guide vanes with various gaps between turbine rotor and guide vane has been clarified by model testing and numerical simulation. The results have been compared with those of the case without guide vanes. It is found that the overall characteristics are considerably improved by the inlet guide vanes. Furthermore, a suitable choice of design factor for the gap has been suggested.