Magnetic Coupling for a 10 kW Tidal Current Turbine: Design and Small Scale Experiments

This paper presents a coupling design that improves water tightness of a marine current turbine (MCT). The coupling is numerically analyzed and incorporated into the design of an MCT from a previous study. The performance of the MCT with the magnetic coupling is compared to the previous results in small scale turbine experiments. The results show that the new design is water tight and has lower mechanical losses when compared with previous results. The new turbine has increased maximum power output (from 116 W to 122 W) and hydrodynamic coefficient of power (Previously 0.45 to 0.46). Using these results, the coupling design is scaled for a 10 kW MCT and further analyzed by finite element analysis. The results obtained show that the magnetic coupling is capable of withstanding the combined weight of the hub and blade assembly. The results in this study will be used for developing a prototype for deployment in real seas.

[1]  Eunil Park,et al.  Potentiality of renewable resources: Economic feasibility perspectives in South Korea , 2017 .

[2]  Fergal O. Rourke,et al.  School of Mechanical and Design Engineering 2010-0401 Marine Current Energy Devices : Current Status and Possible Future Applications in Ireland , 2017 .

[3]  Joseph Andrew Clarke,et al.  Contra-rotating marine current turbines : single point tethered floating system - stabilty and performance , 2009 .

[4]  Weon Mu Jeong,et al.  An overview of ocean renewable energy resources in Korea , 2012 .

[5]  Jin-Hak Yi,et al.  Current Policy and Technology for Tidal Current Energy in Korea , 2019 .

[6]  In Chul Kim,et al.  Performance study on a counter-rotating tidal current turbine by CFD and model experimentation , 2013 .

[7]  B. G. Newman.  MULTIPLE ACTUATOR-DISC THEORY FOR WIND TURBINES , 1986 .

[8]  Su-jin Hwang,et al.  Tidal Current Energy Resource Distribution in Korea , 2019 .

[9]  Joseph Andrew Clarke,et al.  Design and testing of a contra-rotating tidal current turbine , 2007 .

[10]  Joji Wata,et al.  Experiments on the magnetic coupling in a small scale counter rotating marine current turbine , 2016 .

[11]  T. Y. Chen,et al.  Blockage corrections in wind tunnel tests of small horizontal-axis wind turbines , 2011 .

[12]  D. Byun,et al.  Tidal Current Energy Resources off the South and West Coasts of Korea: Preliminary Observation-Derived Estimates , 2013 .

[13]  E. Iso,et al.  Measurement Uncertainty and Probability: Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement , 1995 .

[14]  B. G. Newman.  Actuator-disc theory for vertical-axis wind turbines , 1983 .

[15]  Bin Huang,et al.  Performance Research of Counter-rotating Tidal Stream Power Unit , 2016 .

[16]  Mohamed Benbouzid,et al.  Developments in large marine current turbine technologies – A review , 2017 .

[17]  Hugh W. Coleman,et al.  Experimentation, Validation, and Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers , 2009 .

[18]  Bin Huang,et al.  Performance and internal flow of a counter-rotating type tidal stream turbine , 2015 .