Optimal kinematics for energy harvesting using favourable wake–foil interactions in tandem oscillating hydrofoils

The energy-harvesting performance of two oscillating hydrofoil turbines in tandem configuration is experimentally studied at a $Re$ of $20\,000$ to determine the array’s optimal kinematics. By characterising interactions between the leading foil’s wake and the trailing foil, the kinematic configuration required to maximise array power extraction is identified. This is done by prescribing leading-foil kinematics that produce specific wake regimes, identified by the maximum effective angle of attack, $\alpha _{T/4}$ , parameter. The kinematics of the trailing foil are varied significantly from those of the leading foil, with heave and pitch amplitudes of $0.6c\lt h_{0,{\textit{tr}}}\lt 1.8c$ and $65^{\circ} \lt \theta _{0,{\textit{tr}}}\lt 75^{\circ}$ , and inter-foil phase of $-110^{\circ} \lt \psi _{1-2}\lt 180^{\circ}$ . Configurations with reduced frequencies of $0.11$ and $0.12$ , and foil separations of $4c$ and $6c$ are tested within each wake regime. The power extracted by each foil over an oscillation cycle is measured through force and torque measurements. Wake–foil interactions that improve trailing foil performance are analysed with time-resolved particle image velocimetry. Constructive and destructive wake–foil interactions are compared, showing that trailing-foil performance improves by either avoiding wake vortices or interacting directly with them. By interacting with the primary wake vortex, the latter configuration sees no power loss during the cycle. System power from the two foils is found to be maximised when the leading foil operates at an intermediate $\alpha _{T/4}$ range, and when the trailing foil avoids wake vortices. This optimal array configuration sees both foils operating with different kinematics compared with the optimal kinematics of a single oscillating foil.