Abrasion Testing of Hydrokinetic Device Components in High Suspended Sediment Environments

1. Water Power Peer Review Monty Worthington ORPC Alaska mworthington@orpc.co November 1-3, 2011 Abrasion Testing of Critical Components of Hydrokinetic Devices

2. Purpose, Objectives, & Integration • Tidal and river sites in Alaska typically have high suspended sediment concentrations, primarily due to predominant glacial influences and the fine particulate silt that they introduce, that will potentially effect MHK technology lifetime and maintenance intervals. • It is necessary that ORPC adapt the design of its components to these conditions early on in the development of ORPC’s technology. Lessons learned will be widely applicable both in ORPC’s Alaska projects and in future hydrokinetic projects worldwide. • This will directly address DOE’s goals of accelerating successful tidal energy technology deployment in challenging conditions, thus opening up project development in more diverse locations.

3. Technical Approach Design, test prototype, build out • Initial test station designed, fabricated, assembled, and tested prior to release of additional stations for manufacture • Reduces risk of design errors on full flume • Allows for modifications after initial testing • Bearing and seal matrix developed • Incorporate input from Project partners, manufacturers and industry experts • Allows for concise informed decision making on choices for testing • Instrumentation package specified and tested • Data collection protocols and instrumentation installed and tested on test station

4. Plan, Schedule, & Budget Schedule: • Initiation date: 09/01/2010 • Planned completion date: 02/29/2012 • The start date for the project was delayed nearly full year due to a delay in the release of DOE funds for the project (01/06/2011). This problem, coupled with delays in the flume construction, has led to a delay of 1.25 years for the project. • Milestones for FY 10 and FY11: • Task 1 Flume Design and test specifications completed 3/1/11 • Task 2 First station of flue constructed 5/19/11 • Task 3 First station of flume tested 9/30/11 • Task 4 Bearings and seals for testing selected 9/15/11 • Task 5 Flume design modified as needed and other station 10/7/11 • Task 6 Full flume assembled 1/7/12 • Task 7 Flume testing begins 1/14/12 • Go/no-go decision points for FY12 and FY13: No date established. Budget: • Project costs are currently tracking with the original budget. • Project budget expended to date: $89,027.53, Less than anticipated due to late start of project and subsequent delay in drawdown of funds.

5. Accomplishments and Results • Test Flume design, fabrication, and calibration complete • Test protocols defined and instrumentation designed, procured, data collection initiated • Matrix of candidate bearings/seals developed and test bearings and seals procured

6. Challenges to Date Challenges: • Project delays due to funding release and time conflicts with UAA schedule • Logistical challenges installing flume (wiring upgrade required at test site) Resolution: • Monthly update meetings held to identify scope, schedule, budget concerns, and assign roles and coordinate to resolve issues in a timely manner

7. Next Steps FY12 and Project Completion: • Full flume assembled, long term testing initiated – Jan 2012 • 6 months data collected, reported on – July 2012 • 12 months data collected, reported on – February 2013 • Final report with recommendations complete May 2013 Future Steps: • Field testing of bearings and seals in ORPC devices in high suspended sediment river environments • Construction and testing of prototype UAA designed bearings • Abrasion testing of other device components (i.e., foil composites, etc)