Novel insight into vortex formation and turbine performance through innovative techniques in rotating fluid dynamics

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Novel Insight Into Vortex Formation and Turbine Performance Through Innovative Techniques in Rotating Fluid Dynamics Two individual research programs are detailed in this proposal; both programs are linked by the physics of rotating fluids.  The first program seeks to quantify precisely how a three dimensional vortex forms from start to finish.  In spite of a long history of interest, the specific details of formation have eluded the literature.  This study will break the formation process down into component steps through experiments and computational models.  It is strongly anticipated that results of this program will benefit those studying harmful vortex phenomena including jet intake vortices, dam intake vortices, and even tornado formation. The second research theme focuses on improving the understanding of fluid-structure interaction in renewable energy turbines such as wind turbines and tidal turbines.  Measuring how turbine blades may vibrate and deform under fluid loading (blowing wind or flowing water), is a byzantine task.  It is vital to understand how the fluid and structure interact as this directly influences the turbine performance and durability.  The complexity of the problem has limited the number of similar studies attempted to date.  The fluid dynamic and structural behaviour of both horizontal and vertical axis turbines will be studied in laboratory wind and water tunnels.  Computational simulations of the physical experiments will be developed in parallel with the experimental work.  Though ambitious, this study aims to provide useful data for the improvement of existing wind and open-water turbine technology.  Further, we optimistically expect design innovations to stem from this research.