Engineering analysis of turbulent flow measurements near Kuchinoshima Island

Abstract

Ocean current measurements from near Kuchinoshima Island are analyzed to consider turbulence characteristics with regard to the engineering design of an ocean current turbine. The location of the measurements is offshore of Kuchinoshima in the Tokara Strait within the path of the Kuroshio Current. The measurement campaign was from January 15 to 16, 2016 using the Nortek Signature 500 ADCP and Nortek Vector ADV. Turbulence characteristics of turbulence intensity, integral timescale, and integral length scale are evaluated at 1 m increments above the seabed. Doppler noise removal is performed and power density spectrums are presented. The findings will lead to more accurate loading calculations and simulations for performance evaluation.