Optimization of a Horizontal Axis Tidal (HAT) turbine for powering a Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination system using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Taguchi method

Horizontal Axis Tidal (HAT) turbines can be used to power RO (reverse osmosis) desalination systems. The greatest weakness of these is the high price design, development, and manufacturing. Traditionally, optimization turbine geometry achieved by running several numerical models which become time consuming expensive. Taguchi-CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) approach has recently been introduced as an inexpensive rapid tool for optimizing industrial devices. This technique a straightforward solution HAT turbines. In this work, conceptual design tidal reverse osmosis (TPRO) unit was proposed. Subsequently, turbine, whole system, optimized with combination only 16 CFD simulations using Taguchi method. effects blade size, number blades, hub radius, shape were studied optimized. results revealed that most important parameters influencing output are size blade, respectively. Moreover, superposition model showed minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 21% less than amount in approach. coefficient (Cp) 0.44 according simulations, 10% higher baseline (0.40) at tip speed (TSR) 5. weight 17%. study provide comprehensive guidance horizontal process.