Research project ideas

Measuring the true angle of attack of a cross-flow turbine blade

• Would help modelers determine where to look upstream for assessing incoming velocity.
• Use PIV or mount a velocity/pressure probe to a blade.

Comparing the near-wakes of cross-flow and axial-flow turbines

• Obtain or build an axial-flow turbine with similar frontal area to the RVAT or RM2.
• Do some measurements in the tow tank.
• Do some CFD.

Investigating free surface disturbances caused by vertical-axis turbines

• Measure free surface behind turbine being towed in tow tank.
  • Use a wave staff.
  • Use a video camera and image processing--maybe track a towed array of floats.
• Compare with simulations performed with interFoam using the turbinesFoam actuator line model.

Control parameters for cross-flow turbines

• In tow tank, observe how various parameters adjusted inside the AKD drive change performance, e.g., the slider tuning seemed to decrease performance of the RVAT as the drive was "stiffened."
• Develop a generator model for turbinesFoam, which integrates with the CFT actuator line model to modulate shaft angular velocity.
  • Validate against experiments.