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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/J14363/01
Title: PREDICTION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A WELLS TURBINE OSCILLATORY FLOW
Principal Investigator: Graham, Professor JM
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Aeronautics
Organisation: Imperial College London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 1994 Ends: 31 December 1996 Value (£): 148,397
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy - Marine & Hydropower
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This proposal is for a combined experimental and theoretical study of a Wells turbine in both unconstrained and ducted oscillatory axial flow. The application of the work is to wave energy devices in which a turbine rotor is subjected to the oscillatory axial flow through the action of free surface waves. The work also applies to the use of the rotor as a heave damping device. The main experimental work will consist of measurements of torque, RPM and axial force on a fixed model rotor in a U-tube. The effects of varying Keulegan-Carpenter number (stroke length), tip speed ratio, number of blades, solidity and hub to tip ratio will be studied. The experimental work will be supplemented by the development of theoretical models. One model will be based on axial flow momentum and the more details second model will use a free vortex lattice wake. The unconstrained rotor tests will be supplemented by tests in a larger water tank to eliminate blockage effects, and the ducted rotor tests by some steady flow tests in a wind tunnel. Mechanical Engineering Programme.
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Organisation Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk