Marine growth and its effect on blade efficiency
This work presents some initial results that assess the impact of fouling
communities on the hydrodynamic efficiency of a tidal stream turbine.
Firstly, the various fouling types were investigated and abstracted into
a series of representative surface profiles. The surface profiles are
modelled on an aerofoil test section and the results are presented in
the paper. The
effect on lift and drag is recorded using varying degrees of fouling and
results will be shown for variations in size and density. This information
is then used to predict the loss in efficiency relative to the degree
of fouling encountered.
