Solution of Energy Supply for Deep Ocean Installations: Design and Testing of a Micro-Fluid Turbine

Abstract:

A micro-fluid turbine has been successfully tested in the laboratory and towing tank. This 2m diametral device is designed to operate in flows with velocity from 0.1m/s to 1m/s. The designed output power varies from 0.3W to 200W. In this design, the low density ocean current energy in deep-sea stored as mechanical energy in plane roll-up spring first. When the spring has enough potential energy, it drives the generator to generate electricity. Through this assistant start approach, the turbine can work in ultra-low-speed current. On the other hand, the non-contact transmission remarkably reduced the drag torque of hubcap. Besides these approaches, some other advanced technologies, such as self-adaptive platform, high efficiency energy storage, and intelligent control, are applied in this turbine. Test results show that the micro-fluid turbine has potential to provide power for instruments and equipment in deep-sea environment.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 472)
• Pages: 247-253
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.472.247
• Online since: January 2014
• Authors: Ying Yuan Tian, Yun Hai Zhang, Xu Jun Wang
• Keywords: Assistant Start, Deep-Sea, Marine Current, Turbine, Ultra-Low-Speed

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