Thesis
Quantification of uncertainty in sub-sea acoustic measurement, and validation of wave-current kinematics, at a tidal energy site
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2017
- Thesis identifier
- T15017
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201352986
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- As developers seek to convert the energy of the tides into electricity, sub-sea turbines must be designed to perform well in increasingly harsh conditions. Such energetic seas have historically been avoided, hence measurements taken below the surface in strong tidal currents and large waves are relatively few, and the theory behind these interactions is underdeveloped. This thesis compares measurements of subsurface velocity taken in the field, at a UK site proposed for development, to the velocity outputs of a model capable of combining waves and currents in a number of ways. In particular the interaction between waves and currents is investigated.The methodology incorporates a novel virtual velocity measurement instrument to measure the model ow,replicating the physical instruments used at sea, such that direct comparisons can be made between the two data-sets. Model and field velocities show good agreement across a range of current speeds and wave heights,with a range of metrics used to demonstrate the suitability of the model, based on linear wave-current theory,for this site. The wave-current interaction module is calibrated, with linear superposition of wave and current velocities proving a suitable representation of field velocities. Calculation of a dispersion relationship affected by mean current velocity marginally improves calibration with field data. Analysis of other sites using the tools developed will further validate this type of model, which in combination with blade element momentum theory,is able to predict pre-construction site specific loads on tidal turbines.Doppler Current Profilers (DCPs) are able to measure subsurface water particle kinematics and sea surface elevation simultaneously, however assumptions made by these instruments jeopardise detail when recording in highly energetic seas, particularly where waves and turbulent tidal currents combine. Models developed to optimise the design of tidal turbines require correct site specific inputs to accurately reflect the conditions that a turbine may encounter through its lifetime, moreover, the kinematics of these models must be accurately validated. To overcome the limitations in DCP measurements a 'Virtual' Doppler Current Profiler (VDCP)is developed (Crossley et al. 2017), enabling quantification of error in site characteristics, and 'like for like'comparisons of field and model kinematics that has never previously been documented. The numerical model developed incorporates tidal currents, waves and turbulence combined linearly to output subsurface velocity based on conditions from the field which have been averaged over ten minute intervals. The inputs are simple,time averaged characteristics (current magnitude, direction, and profile; wave height, period and direction,turbulence intensity and turbulence length-scale) and the model outputs velocities over a two dimensional grid that develops with time. The VDCP samples this ow as if it were the very instrument in the field that recorded the data used for validation. Taking into account the heading, pitch and roll of the instrument a data set directly comparable to that measured in the field is generated.The VDCP is initially used in quantifying error in wave and turbulence statistics, demonstrating a phase dependency of velocity measurements averaged between beams and providing a theoretical error for wave and turbulence characteristics sampled under a range of conditions, in order to improve tidal site characterisation. Spectral moments of the subsurface longitudinal wave orbital velocities recorded by the VDCP can be between 0.1 and 9 times those measured at a point for certain turbulent current conditions, turbulence intensity measurements may vary between 0.2 and 1.5 times the input value in low wave conditions and turbulence length scale calculations can vary by over ten times the input value, dependent on both current and wave conditions.The methodology can be used to determine a theoretical error in any site characterisation parameter for any set of wave, current and turbulence conditions.Results of the model validation using the VDCP show that the tidal ow model, and in particular the newly developed wave-current interaction module, is effective in simulating field subsurface velocities over a range of depths, for waves of up to 3m significant wave height and currents of up to 3.5ms1.;The model is effective in reproducing the wave climate using both measured and modelled surface elevation spectra, and tests, with marginal improvements, the effect of modifying the dispersion equation to account for currents. Field and model velocities compare well over the frequency range dominated by waves, showing only small underestimations in model standard deviations with respect to those from field data, at depths close to the sea surface. At the low frequency end of the modelled spectra, where large turbulent eddies dominate, there is some deviation in model accuracy, particularly during the ebb tide where recorded turbulence parameters are extremely variable,creating uncertainty due to a relatively small sample size. Between field and model velocity maxima, some scatter is observed, potentially providing uncertainty in the estimation of ultimate loads. Model and field damage equivalent velocities, used in the determination of fatigue loads, agree well. Results suggest that a linear wave-current representation of subsurface velocities at this particular tidal site is applicable. Care should be taken when interpreting this result due to the relatively small sample size, and the possibility of site specific nuances, and as such further studies are proposed.The Virtual DCP model is a novel development which has proven its usefulness in the work contained in this thesis and in the analysis of commercial field data. It is extremely versatile, adapting to a range of configurations and set up criteria such that it can be used in the quantification of DCP measurement error for a range of flow characteristics. This information is useful in the design of tidal turbines (and other sub-sea structures) as well as for oceanographic and biological processes. The tidal ow model developed extends beyond the capability of similar numerical models with the capability to model the interaction between waves and currents according to a number of different options. Combined with the VDCP, which samples from the model ow field, a system is created that can be effectively calibrated to find the best model solution to replicate flows at a tidal site measured by a 'real' DCP over a broad range of sea conditions and water depths. The purpose is to ensure that models used to predict the sub surface velocities in the field are suitable and a key question was to understand whether the linear super-position of linear wave models and a turbulent current flow provides a realistic model of the particle kinematics with a view to undertaking loads analysis of a tidal stream turbine. Comparisons of this kind have not previously been documented, and this thesis lays out the path to improved site characterisation and model validation, as well as drawing conclusions on useful methods for modelling flows impacted by waves.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Day, Sandra Hudnall
- Resource Type
- Note
- Strathclyde theses - ask staff. Thesis no. : T15017
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2017
- Former identifier
- 9912641592902996
Relations
Items
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
PDF of thesis T15017 | 2021-07-02 | Public | Download |