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.

The Research of Energy Conversion and Heat Transfer in the Ceramic Foams of Solar Energy Converter

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangbo Deng ◽  
Fengmin Su ◽  
Chunji Yan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Ceramic Foams ◽  
Numerical Studies ◽  
Flow Through

The solar energy converter in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system, applies the solid frame structure of the ceramic foams to receive the concentrated solar radiation, convert it into thermal energy, and heat the air flow through the ceramic foams by convection heat transfer. In this paper, first, the pressure drops in the studied ceramic foams were measured under all kinds of flow condition. Based on the experimental results, an empirical numerical model was built for the air flow through ceramic foams. Second, a 3-D numerical model was built, for the receiving and conversion of the solar energy in the ceramic foams of the solar energy converter. Third, applying two aforementioned numerical models, the numerical studies of the thermal performance were carried out, for the solar energy converter filled with the ceramic foams, and results show that the structure parameters of the ceramic foams, the effective reflective area and the solar radiation intensity of the solar concentrator, have direct impacts on the absorptivity and conversion efficiency of the solar energy in the solar energy converter. And the results of the numerical studies are found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements. This paper will provide a reference for the design and manufacture of the solar energy converter with the ceramic foams.

scholarly journals Primary energy conversion performance of “Pendulor” wave energy device with bottom gap

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-343
Author(s):  
Lekha. U. Bakmeedeniya ◽  
S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane ◽  
Byung-Ha Kim ◽  
Young-Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Conversion Performance

scholarly journals KNSwing—On the Mooring Loads of a Ship-Like Wave Energy Converter

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Kim Nielsen ◽  
Jonas Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
The Waves

The critical function of keeping a floating Wave Energy Converter in position is done by a mooring system. Several WECs have been lost due to failed moorings, indicating that extreme loads, reliability and durability are very important aspects. An understanding of the interaction between the WEC’s motion in large waves and the maximum mooring loads can be gained by investigating the system at model scale supported by numerical models. This paper describes the testing of a novel attenuator WEC design called KNSwing. It is shaped like a ship facing the waves with its bow, which results in low mooring loads and small motions in most wave conditions when the structure is longer than the waves. The concept is tested using an experimental model at scale 1:80 in regular and irregular waves, moored using rubber bands to simulate synthetic moorings. The experimental results are compared to numerical simulations done using the OrcaFlex software. The experimental results show that the WEC and the mooring system survives well, even under extreme and breaking waves. The numerical model coefficient concerning the nonlinear drag term for the surge motion is validated using decay tests. The numerical results compare well to the experiments and, thereby, the numerical model can be further used to optimize the mooring system.

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.

A New Class of Wave Energy Converter: The Floating Pendulum Dynamic Vibration Absorber

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayden Marcollo ◽  
Jonathan Gumley ◽  
Paul Sincock ◽  
Nicholas Boustead ◽  
Adrian Eassom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Floating Body ◽  
Vibration Absorber ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Dynamic Vibration Absorber ◽  
New Class ◽  
Dynamic Vibration

A new class of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) is presented — the Floating Pendulum Dynamic Vibration Absorber (FPDVA). This concept offers significant design benefits to other WEC technology in the form of low cost installation and mechanical moving components located above the waterline only. The key elements of the FPDVA concept are highlighted. The performance of the concept is demonstrated through numerical modeling with calibration of the numerical models via physical tank testing. The Power Take Off (PTO) system is described, and the bench tests are presented. A discussion about the control systems required to operate the FPDVA system and the likely floating body mooring configurations are also presented. The technology has patent pending status. Future phased development of the technology is planned to progress its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) status from TRL 4 to TRL 9.

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 Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Multibody Wave Energy Converter in Regular Waves

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1233
Author(s):  
Sunny Kumar Poguluri ◽  
Dongeun Kim ◽  
Yoon Hyeok Bae
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Q Factor ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Multiple Wave ◽  
Hydrodynamic Analysis ◽  
Heading Angle ◽  
Extracted Power

A performance assessment of wave power absorption characteristics of isolated and multiple wave energy converter (WEC) rotors was presented in this study for various wave-heading angles and wave frequencies. Numerical hydrodynamic analysis of the WEC was carried out using the three-dimensional linear boundary element method (BEM) and nonlinear computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Experimental results were used to validate the adopted numerical models. Influence with and without power take-off (PTO) was estimated on both isolated and multiple WEC rotors. Furthermore, to investigate the interaction effect among WECs, a q-factor was used. Incorporation of viscous and PTO damping into the linear BEM solution shows the maximum reduction focused around peak frequency but demonstrated an insignificant effect elsewhere. The q-factor showed both constructive and destructive interactions with the increase of the wave-heading angle and wave frequencies. Further investigation based on the prototype WEC rotor was carried, and calculated results of the linear BEM and the nonlinear CFD were compared. The pitch response and q-factor of the chosen wave frequencies demonstrated satisfactory consistency between the linear BEM and nonlinear CFD results, except for some wave frequencies. Estimated optimal time-averaged power using linear BEM show that the maximum extracted power close to the zero wave-heading angle around the resonance frequency decreases as the wave-heading angle increases. Overall, the linear BEM on the extracted power is overestimated compared with the nonlinear CFD results.

scholarly journals TURBINE−CHAMBER COUPLING IN AN OWC WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (33) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Lopez ◽  
Gregorio Iglesias ◽  
Mario Lopez ◽  
Francisco Castro ◽  
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Power ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy Conversion ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Air Turbine ◽  
Pneumatic Power

Oscillating Water Column (OWC) systems are one of the most popular technologies for wave energy conversion. Their main elements are the chamber with the water column and the air turbine. When studying the performance of an OWC system both elements should be considered together, for they are effectively coupled: the damping exerted by the air turbine affects the efficiency of the conversion from wave power to pneumatic power in the OWC chamber, which in turn affects the air flow driving the turbine. The optimum level of damping is that which maximizes the efficiency of the conversion from wave to pneumatic power. In this work the turbine-chamber coupling is studied through a combination of physical and numerical modeling.

scholarly journals The performance of the Mocean M100 wave energy converter described through numerical and physical modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
J. Cameron McNatt ◽  
Christopher H. Retzler
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Domain Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Cost Of Energy

Mocean Energy has designed a 100-kW hinged-raft wave energy converter (WEC), the M100, which has a novel geometry that reduces the cost of energy by improving the ratios of power per size and power per torque. The performance of the M100 is shown through the outputs of frequency-domain and time-domain numerical models, which are compared with those from 1/20th scale wave-tank testing. Results show that for the undamped, frequency-domain model, there are resonant peaks in the response at 6.6 and 9.6 s, corresponding to wavelengths that are 1.9 and 3.7 times longer than the machine. With the inclusion of power-take-off and viscous damping, the power response as a function of frequency shows a broad bandwidth and a hinge flex amplitude of 12-20 degrees per meter of wave amplitude. Comparison between the time-domain model and physical data in a variety of sea states, up to a significant wave height of 4.5 m, show agreements within 10% for average power absorption, which is notable because only simple, nonlinear, numerical models were used. The M100 geometry results in a broad-banded, large amplitude response due to its asymmetric shape, which induces coupling between modes of motion.

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