Influence of Confined Channel on the Self-Starting Capability of Twin Counter-Rotating Savonius Hydrokinetic Turbines in Tandem Arrangement

Abstract

This research aims to improve Savonius turbine’s self-starting capability by increasing the static torque coefficient using several methods. In this research, a channel is involved and an additional turbine is applied to optimize the energy harvested from hydropower using numerical approach. To solve the governing equations, -  Realizable with Enhanced Wall Treatment as the turbulent model and Coupled algorithm as the solver are deployed. Through 0.61, 0.45, 0.3, 0.22, 0.1, 0.05 blockage levels and 2.667D and 60D distances, the optimum self-starting condition is obtained at 0.61 and 0.45 blockage levels for 2.667D upstream and downstream turbines. The upstream and downstream turbines share a similar self-starting capability, with an increase as well as an increase of blockage at 60D.