ORNL Capabilities

Technical Performance Studies

The ORNL marine and hydrokinetics (MHK) technologies R & D team has years of experience in laboratory and field measurements, post-processing and analysis of bulk and mean flow properties of turbulent flows for machine inflow characterization, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Our expertise includes:

Measurements, post-processing and analysis

  • Mean velocity, turbulence, Reynolds stresses, spectral energy densities, spatial coherence (synchronized ADV arrays, ADCP, LS-PIV, PIV)
  • Topography and bathymetry (total station, differential GPS, echosounders)
  • Noise around MHK machines (hydrophones)
  • Bedform and substrate characterization
  • Suspended sediment concentration

CFD modeling

  • 1D, 2D and 3D CFD modeling, supported by a world leading supercomputing facilities
  • Tidal and ocean current model validation
  • Roughness parameterization using high-resolution satellite imagery
  • Modeling effects of vegetation on hydrodynamics

Environmental Studies

Biological and environmental studies

ORNL scientists are conducting laboratory, mesocosm, and field experiments of the potential impacts of MHK installation and operation, including:

  • Fish-machine interactions, effects on fish passage and blade strike
  • Effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on fish behavior
  • Effects of noise on fish behavior
  • Toxicity of MHK device coatings and lubricants
  • Alteration of habitats for aquatic organisms

Environmental monitoring, modeling and cumulative impact assessment

velocity and turbulance measurement at melton hill lake adv and adcp measurement in a small river topographic and bathymetric measurements

Velocity and turbulence measurement at Melton Hill Lake, TN

 ADV and ADCP measurement in a small river Topographic and bathymetric measurements
measurement of velocity, turbulence and wake around an MHK turbine model using an ADCP and synchronized ADVs Post-processed ADCP velocity data at a meandering river bend
Measurement of velocity, turbulence and wake around an MHK turbine model using an ADCP and synchronized ADVs Post-processed ADCP velocity data at a meandering river bend
unstructured mesh of a compound channel CFD model CFD modeling of an unsteady river flow jaguar-one of the fastest supercomputers in the world
Unstructured mesh of a compound channel CFD model CFD modeling of an unsteady river flow Jaguar - one of the fastest
supercomputers in the world