Design of a Point Absorber Inside the WindFloat Structure

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Peiffer ◽  
Dominique Roddier ◽  
Alexia Aubault
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Floating Structure ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Motion Responses ◽  
Linear Effects ◽  
Response Amplitude Operators ◽  
Empirical Coefficients

This paper summarizes the modeling and testing that was performed to integrate a point-absorber type Wave-Energy Converter (WEC) within the WindFloat hull. The WindFloat is a floating structure supporting a very large (>5MW) wind turbine. By adding a wave-energy device to the structure, one can improve the overall economic cost of the project, since both the mooring system and power infrastructure are shared. For the device analyzed here, the modeling is first described and then the Motion Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) are computed. From these motion responses, the theoretical mechanical power available is calculated. The power values depend on empirical coefficients that need to be confirmed through model testing in the lab. The hydrodynamic forces on each device are often dependent on the interference between the device and the hull, the mooring, and the non-linear effects which are challenging to model. Therefore, these forces are approximated using a Morrison-type formulation in the numerical models. The empirical values for drag coefficients, damping coefficients, and stiffness coefficients in this report are validated against model tests, which are also described.

scholarly journals Research on Hydroelastic Response of an FMRC Hexagon Enclosed Platform

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1110
Author(s):  
Wei-Qin Liu ◽  
Luo-Nan Xiong ◽  
Guo-Wei Zhang ◽  
Meng Yang ◽  
Wei-Guo Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Domain ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Floating Structure ◽  
Small Depth ◽  
Response Amplitude Operators ◽  
Hydroelastic Response

The numerical hydroelastic method is used to study the structural response of a hexagon enclosed platform (HEP) of flexible module rigid connector (FMRC) structure that can provide life accommodation, ship berthing and marine supply for ships sailing in the deep ocean. Six trapezoidal floating structures constitute the HEP structure so that it is a symmetrical very large floating structure (VLFS). The HEP has the characteristics of large area and small depth, so its hydroelastic response is significant. Therefore, this paper studies the structural responses of a hexagon enclosed platform of FMRC structure in waves by means of a 3D potential-flow hydroelastic method based on modal superposition. Numerical models, including the hydrodynamic model, wet surface model and finite element method (FEM) model, are established, a rigid connection is simulated by many-point-contraction (MPC) and the number of wave cases is determined. The load and structural response of HEP are obtained and analyzed in all wave cases, and frequency-domain hydroelastic calculation and time-domain hydroelastic calculation are carried out. After obtaining a number of response amplitude operators (RAOs) for stress and time-domain stress histories, the mechanism of the HEP structure is compared and analyzed. This study is used to guide engineering design for enclosed-type ocean platforms.

scholarly journals Numerical and Experimental Investigation on a Moonpool-Buoy Wave Energy Converter

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hengxu Liu ◽  
Feng Yan ◽  
Fengmei Jing ◽  
Jingtao Ao ◽  
Zhaoliang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Motion Responses ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper introduces a new point-absorber wave energy converter (WEC) with a moonpool buoy—the moonpool platform wave energy converter (MPWEC). The MPWEC structure includes a cylinder buoy and a moonpool buoy and a Power Take-off (PTO) system, where the relative movement between the cylindrical buoy and the moonpool buoy is exploited by the PTO system to generate energy. A 1:10 scale model was physically tested to validate the numerical model and further prove the feasibility of the proposed system. The motion responses of and the power absorbed by the MPWEC studied in the wave tank experiments were also numerically analyzed, with a potential approach in the frequency domain, and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code in the time domain. The good agreement between the experimental and the numerical results showed that the present numerical model is accurate enough, and therefore considering only the heave degree of freedom is acceptable to estimate the motion responses and power absorption. The study shows that the MPWEC optimum power extractions is realized over a range of wave frequencies between 1.7 and 2.5 rad/s.

The Design and Calculation of the Mooring System in Floating Body with Rope Wheel Device

2013 ◽  
Vol 361-363 ◽  
pp. 378-381
Author(s):  
Yan Gang Wang ◽  
Xing Hua Tong ◽  
Lin Sen Zhu ◽  
Yong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Floating Structure ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Key Technology ◽  
Energy Theory

Floating body with rope wheel structure is a new wave energy device, which is simple and low cost. Mooring system is the key technology of this device, which is use to limit the horizontal motion of the floating structure in the designated area. In this paper, potential energy theory has been used in the process of design and calculation of mooring system. Using the result of calculation, the motion of the floating body has been simulated numerically.

Comparison of Experimental Data of a Moored Multibody Wave Energy Device With a Hybrid CFD and BIEM Numerical Analysis Framework

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Nematbakhsh ◽  
Constantine Michailides ◽  
Zhen Gao ◽  
Torgeir Moan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Integral Equation Method ◽  
Boundary Integral ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Energy Device

In the present paper, a hybrid Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Boundary Integral Element Method (BIEM) framework is developed in order to study the response of a moored Multibody wave Energy Device (MED) to a panchromatic sea state. The relevant results are the surge and heave responses of the MED. The Numerical Analysis Framework (NAF) includes two different models; the first model uses Navier-Stokes equations to describe the flow field and is solved with an in-house CFD code to quantify the viscous damping effect, while the second model uses boundary-integral equation method and is solved with the tool WAMIT\SIMO\RIFLEX. By studying the free decay tests with the Navier-Stokes based model, the uncoupled linear and quadratic damping coefficients of the MED in surge and heave directions are calculated. These coefficients are given as input to the WAMIT\SIMO\RIFLEX model and the responses of the MED to different wave conditions are determined. These responses are compared with the experimental data and very good agreement is obtained. The MED responses calculated by the presented NAF have been obtained in connection with a hydrodynamic modeling competition and selected as one of the numerical models, which well predict the blind experimental data that were unknown to the authors.

scholarly journals The MBARI-WEC: a power source for ocean sensing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hamilton ◽  
François Cazenave ◽  
Dominic Forbush ◽  
Ryan G. Coe ◽  
Giorgio Bacelli
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Domain Model ◽  
Monterey Bay ◽  
Hydrodynamic Models ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Linear Frequency ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Wave Energy Converters

AbstractInterest in wave energy converters to provide autonomous power to various ocean-bound systems, such as autonomous underwater vehicles, sensor systems, and even aquaculture farms, has grown in recent years. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has developed and deployed a small two-body point absorber wave energy device suitable to such needs. This paper provides a description of the system to support future open-source access to the device and further the general development of similar wave energy systems. Additionally, to support future control design and system modification efforts, a set of hydrodynamic models are presented and cross-compared. To test the viability of using a linear frequency-domain admittance model for controller tuning, the linear model is compared against four WEC-Sim models of increasing complexity. The linear frequency-domain model is found to be generally adequate for capturing system dynamics, as the model agreement is good and the degree of nonlinearity introduced in the WEC-Sim models is generally less than 2.5%.

scholarly journals Assessment of Primary Energy Conversion of a Closed-Circuit OWC Wave Energy Converter

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Benreguig ◽  
Vikram Pakrashi ◽  
Jimmy Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Pneumatic Power ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Thermodynamic Equations ◽  
Thermodynamic Processes

Tupperwave is a wave energy device based on the Oscillating-Water-Column (OWC) concept. Unlike a conventional OWC, which creates a bidirectional air flow across the self-rectifying turbine, the Tupperwave device uses rectifying valves to create a smooth unidirectional air flow, which is harnessed by a unidirectional turbine. This paper deals with the development and validation of time-domain numerical models from wave to pneumatic power for the Tupperwave device and the conventional OWC device using the same floating spar buoy structure. The numerical models are built using coupled hydrodynamic and thermodynamic equations. The isentropic assumption is used to describe the thermodynamic processes. A tank testing campaign of the two devices at 1/24th scale is described, and the results are used to validate the numerical models. The capacity of the innovative Tupperwave OWC concept to convert wave energy into useful pneumatic energy to the turbine is assessed and compared to the corresponding conventional OWC.

Comparison Between Numerical Modeling and Experimental Testing of a Point Absorber WEC Using Linear Power Take-Off System

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Zurkinden ◽  
Morten Kramer ◽  
Mahdi Teimouri Teimouri ◽  
Marco Alves
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Wave Conditions ◽  
Energy Converters

Currently, a number of wave energy converters are being analyzed by means of numerical models in order to predict the electrical power generation under given wave conditions. A common characteristic of this procedure is to integrate the loadings from the hydrodynamics, power take-off and mooring systems into a central wave to wire model. The power production then depends on the control strategy which is applied to the device. The objective of this paper is to develop numerical methods for motion analysis of marine structures with a special emphasis on wave energy converters. Two different time domain models are applied to a point absorber system working in pitch mode only. The device is similar to the well-known Wavestar prototype located in the Danish North Sea. A laboratory model has been set up in order to validate the numerical simulations of the dynamics. Wave Excitation force and the response of the device for regular and irregular waves were measured. Good correspondence is found between the numerical and the physical model for relatively mild wave conditions. For higher waves the numerical model seems to underestimate the response of the device due to its linear fluid-structure interaction assumption and linearized equation of motion. The region over which the numerical model is valid will be presented in terms of non-dimensional parameters describing the different wave states.

scholarly journals A Validation of a Pivoted Point Absorber Type Wave Energy Converter Using CFD

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Injun Yang ◽  
Tahsin Tezdogan ◽  
Atilla Incecik
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
The Moment

Abstract Wave energy is sustainable and clean energy, so it has great potential to be an eco-friendly and lasting renewable energy resource in the future. Recently, a number of researchers have investigated different types of wave energy converters (WECs) using numerical models such as potential theory and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to enhance the efficiency of such devices. In this paper, a validation of a point absorber type WECs is investigated to capture the movement of the WEC system and to measure the moment on the WEC system. The WEC consists of a lever and a buoy. The geometry is the same as the existing experimental geometry of the reference in order to validate the present numerical simulation. The buoy is connected to the lever and has a hinge on the connection point. Besides, another hinge is installed in the middle of the lever, and the WEC system rotates in the pitch direction. The commercial CFD package Star-CCM+, which solves Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, is employed in this study. In the initial stages of this research, a validation study against published experimental results was conducted. The rotational displacement and the moment on the buoy were compared with the existing experimental data of the reference. The result shows good agreement. In the near future, a study on a new pivoted point absorber WEC device regarding the buoy shape of the WEC device and an operation principle will be performed based on this numerical study.

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