Numerical Modelling of Double Slit Caisson Breakwater Integrated Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter with Modal Superposition Method

Oscillating water column wave energy converter is a power generation device in which ocean waves excite the oscillation of the water surface in an air chamber, which generates fluctuations in air pressure and rotate air turbine generator(s). The oscillation of the fluid in the air chamber is a fluid oscillation phenomenon with a natural period, similar to fluid oscillation in a container such as sloshing. Previous research has shown that for an oscillating water column with a single air chamber submerged in water, the oscillation characteristics can be modeled as a one-degree-of-freedom oscillation system that takes only a single oscillation mode into account. However, a double-slit breakwater integrated oscillating water column wave energy converter using two water columns of the breakwater separated by slit walls, has been verified to have two resonance periods. In this study, the free oscillating motion of the oscillating water column wave energy converter using the double-slit breakwater is modeled by modal superposition method including the first-order and second-order modes of vertical motion of the two water surfaces. The result from the simulation is similar to the result of the free vibration experiment.

Numerical Study of Air Chamber for Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Convertor

Oscillating Water Column （OWC） wave energy converting system is one of the most widely used facilities all over the world. The air chamber is utilized to convert the wave energy into the pneumatic energy. The numerical wave tank based on the two-phase VOF model is established in the present study toinvestigate the operating performance of OWC air chamber. The RANS equations, standard k-ε turbulence model and dynamic mesh technology are employed in the numerical model. The effects of incident wave conditions and shape parameters on the wave energy converting efficiency are studied and the capability of the present numerical wave tank on the corresponding engineering application is validated.

可摆动前墙的OWC浮式平台波浪能转换性能研究

提出一种综合海上波浪能转换装置的新型浮式平台,通过将一阻尼池型浮式平台与OWC波浪能装置结合,OWC气室前墙采用固定式和摆式,前墙摆板与气室通过铰链连接。基于三维势流理论,研究平台在不同波浪周期、平台吃水和气室尺寸下气室的俘获宽度比,及不同铰链转动阻尼下摆板的俘获宽度比。结果表明:不同平台吃水和不同气室尺寸通过影响平台和气室的共振周期影响气室的俘获宽度比,在较大的平台吃水和较小的气室前墙吃水条件下,会出现波浪抨击气室顶部和前墙露出水面的问题;在一定波浪环境下,存在一个最优的铰链转动阻尼,使得摆板的俘获宽度比最高;在固定的铰链转动阻尼下,摆板的俘获宽度比随波浪周期增大而逐渐减小,在波浪周期较小及平台共振周期处,摆式前墙结构比固定式前墙的气室俘获宽度比更大。

Experimental Investigation on a Fixed Oscillating Water Column with an Impulse Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion

A fixed oscillating water column(OWC)-type wave energy converter consists of an air chamber,an air turbine and a generator.The energy conversion processes are the primary conversion in an air chamber and the secondary conversion of the turbine.For the practical use,it is necessary to develop a design method which can consider the incident wave motion,the motion of the internal free surface affected in the structure such as a partly submerged wall,the fluctuation of air pressure in an air chamber,and the rotation of the air turbine.At here,the authors carried out the wave tank tests using the model OWC equipped with the impulse turbine and a generator to obtain the experimental data needed to make this design method.As the result,the efficiencies of the three cases with different speed ratio between generator and turbine,and the effects of the curtain wall depth and the wave length on the energy conversion performance were clarified.

Design and Experimental Study of A Pile-Based Breakwater Integrated with OWC Chamber

A structure scheme of a pile-based breakwater with integrated oscillating water column(OWC)energy conversion chamber was proposed,and four structure forms had been designed.Based on the physical test,the variations of the reflected wave height,the transmitted wave height,the air velocity at the outlet of the chamber,the air pressure and the wave height in the air chamber were studied under the conditions of different wave heights,periods,with or without elliptical front wall and the baffles on both sides of the chamber.Moreover,based on the results,the changes and relationship between the wave-eliminating effect and energy conversion effect of the scheme were analyzed.In general,it turns out,the transmission coefficients of the four structure forms are kept below 0.5.Furthermore,the transmission coefficients of the structural forms G2,G3,and G4 were all smaller than 0.4,and it is only 0.1 at its smallest.Thereinto,in general,the structure form G4 has the best wave-eliminating and energy conversion performance.At the same time,when the wave steepness is 0.066,the energy conversion and wave dissipation effect of the four structure forms is the best.The research results could be provided as the reference for the design structure selection of pile-based breakwater with integrated OWC energy conversion chamber.

Studies of flow field characteristics during the impact of a gaseous jet on liquid–water column

Both experimental and numerical studies were presented on the flow field characteristics in the process of gaseous jet impinging on liquid–water column. The effects of the impinging process on the working performance of rocket engine were also analyzed. The experimental results showed that the liquid–water had better flame and smoke dissipation effect in the process of gaseous jet impinging on liquid–water column. However, the interaction between the gaseous jet and the liquid–water column resulted in two pressure oscillations with large amplitude appearing in the combustion chamber of the rocket engine with instantaneous pressure increased by 17.73% and 17.93%, respectively. To analyze the phenomena, a new computational method was proposed by coupling the governing equations of the MIXTURE model with the phase change equations of water and the combustion equation of propellant. Numerical simulations were carried out on the generation of gas, the accelerate gas flow, and the mutual interaction between gaseous jet and liquid–water column.Numerical simulations showed that a cavity would be formed in the liquid–water column when gaseous jet impinged on the liquid–water column. The development speed of the cavity increased obviously after each pressure oscillation. In the initial stage of impingement, the gaseous jet was blocked due to the inertia effect of high-density water, and a large amount of gas gathered in the area between the nozzle throat and the gas–liquid interface. The shock wave was formed in the nozzle expansion section. Under the dual action of the reverse pressure wave and the continuously ejected high-temperature gas upstream, the shock wave moved repeatedly in the nozzle expansion section, which led to the flow of gas in the combustion chamber being blocked, released, re-blocked, and re-released. This was also the main reason for the pressure oscillations in the combustion chamber.

Experimental Study on Conversion Characteristics of Dual-Mode OWC Models Appropriate for Voyaging

Freely movable wave energy converters(WECs) will greatly improve their adaptability to the marine environment.In this paper, a dual-mode oscillating water column(OWC) WEC with potential sailing capability is proposed. By opening and closing a gate on the side facing the waves, the WEC converts wave energy in the vertical duct(called VD mode) with low sailing resistance or in the backward bend duct(called BBD mode) with high sailing resistance.A small model and a medium model were designed and manufactured. The capture width ratio(CWR) of the small model in the two modes was experimentally studied. The CWR under bidirectional airflow and conversion characteristics under unidirectional airflow of the medium model in the BBD mode were obtained. Tests of the small model show that the peak CWR is 145.2% under regular waves and 90.1% under random waves in BBD mode, and in VD mode the peak CWR is about 60% of that in the BBD mode. Tests of the medium model show that the peak CWR is 228.96% under regular waves, the maximum wave-to-battery efficiency is 63.36% under regular waves and 30.17%under random waves, respectively.

超大浮体与OWC集成系统的水动力性能:半解析研究

Responses of the very large floating Structures(VLFS)can be mitigated by implementing oscillating water columns(OWCs).This paper explores the fundamental mechanism of present wave interactions with both structures and examines the hydrodynamic performance of VLFS equipped with OWCs(VLFS-OWCs).Under the linear potential flow theory framework,the semi-analytical model of wave interaction with VLFS-OWCs is developed using the eigenfunction matching method.The semi-analytical model is verified using the Haskind relationship and wave energy conservation law.Results show that the system with dual-chamber OWCs has a wider frequency bandwidth in wave power extraction and hydroelastic response mitigation of VLFS.It is worth noting that the presence of Bragg resonance can be trigged due to wave interaction with the chamber walls and the VLFS,which is not beneficial for the wave power extraction performance and the protection of VLFS.

用于振荡水柱波浪发电系统的高效永磁发电机仿真分析与试验验证

针对空气透平的运行特性及系统在宽转速和宽功率范围高效运行的要求,初步设计内置式永磁同步发电机关键参数,建立其二维有限元模型并进行优化。根据有限元优化后的电机尺寸,完成样机研制并分析测试其主要电磁性能。仿真分析和测试结果证明样机适合用于振荡水柱波浪能发电系统。

不规则波作用下岸基式振荡水柱波能装置的水动力性能研究

为了研究真实海域中振荡水柱(OWC)波能转换装置的水动力性能,本文基于势流理论和高阶边界元方法,建立了不规则波与岸基式OWC波能装置相互作用的二维非线性数值模型,不规则波基于JONSWAP谱生成。为了考虑由于水体黏性引起的能量耗散,在气室内水面边界条件中引入人工黏性阻尼。并在大连理工大学波流水槽中开展了物理模型试验,对数值模型的有效性进行了验证。研究发现,在不规则波作用下,OWC波能装置的水动力效率相较于规则波作用下有所降低,特别是在低频波区域效率差值最大。与规则波相比,不规则波浪作用下装置峰值效率对应的频率变大。气室内的相对水面高程随着有效波高的增加而降低,而气室内相对气压则随有效波高的增加而增大。OWC波能装置的水动力效率受有效波高的影响较小,其峰值效率对应的频率不受波浪非线性的影响。本文可以为OWC波能装置的设计提供参考。

冲击式波浪能摩擦纳米发电机的设计与半物理实验

提出并设计了一种基于冲击式空气透平的波浪能摩擦纳米发电机,将其应用于振荡水柱波浪能转换装置中,能够将低频的海洋波浪能高效转换为电能。详细阐述了该发电机的结构与工作原理,搭建了两个实验平台,分别进行了电极参数优化实验和电学输出性能实验。实验结果表明,利用聚四氟乙烯作为电极的介电材料,其电学输出性能最优,聚四氟乙烯的厚度越大,电学性能输出越好。当发电机电极角度逐渐减小时,短路电流呈上升趋势。设计并制造了冲击式波浪能摩擦纳米发电机,进行了单风向半物理仿真实验。研究了不同风速下的电学输出性能,并进行了电容充电实验。通过电路设计驱动点亮了33盏LED。验证了冲击式波浪能摩擦纳米发电机的可靠性以及对小型传感器供能的潜力。

OWC波浪能采集气室内水动力学压强分析

振荡水柱(Oscillation Water Column,OWC)是近年来发展较快的波浪能采集技术,该装置主要由箱体、振荡水柱和压缩空气柱组成,而波浪在气室内产生的压强对能量转换效率等起到决定作用。结合三维侧向开口的振荡水柱波能转换装置,基于线性波理论,采用三维Green函数法建立了气室内水气动力学性能的空气压强理论计算模型,利用多维切比雪夫(Chebyshev)多项式求解,计算结果精度高,能够准确表达波浪和结构设计参数对气室内压强影响。依据理论计算模型分析了波浪周期、波长、吃水深度、入射波幅等参数对气室内压强作用。

一种集成OWC气室的桩基防波堤方案设计与试验研究

提出一种集成振荡水柱式发电(OWC)气室的桩基透空式防波堤结构方案,与已有方案相比,该方案在波浪周期5 s时有更好的波浪能发电效果,同时兼顾良好的消浪性能,且允许水体通过防波堤进行交换。通过物模试验研究该防波堤的3种不同结构形式在不同波高、周期、气室前墙入水深度、有无直立挡浪板情况下反射波高、透射波高、气室出气口空气流速变化情况。基于试验结果分析该方案消浪效果、气室波能-动能转换率和单位宽度每小时波能-动能转换量的变化情况以及三者之间的关系。分析得到3种结构形式中:结构形式A在波浪周期为5 s时转换率和转换量较高,结构形式B、C在周期较大为6、7 s时有较好的消浪效果,透射系数均保持在0.5以下。

带收缩水道的沉箱防波堤兼OWC装置结构形式的研究

设计一种带收缩水道的沉箱防波堤和OWC(Oscillating Water Column)波能发电装置相结合的复合结构形式,开展物理模型试验研究。通过改变水道结构形式与OWC气室参数,并分析实验数据,探讨水道形式、入射波要素和OWC气室形状参数等对该复合结构工作性能的影响,采用气室内波幅放大系数、气室顶部空气点压力和防波堤前波浪反射率作为考察参量。

Experimental Study on Conversion Efficiency of A Floating OWC Pentagonal Backward Bent Duct Buoy Wave Energy Converter

Wave tank tests were carried out to evaluate the total efficiency of a floating OWC Pentagonal Backward Bent Duct Buoy (PBBDB). Two kinds of turbine generators were used in tests. The incident wave power, pneumatic power and electricity were measured. The test results show that the primary efficiency can reach up to 185.98% in regular waves and 85.86% in irregular waves. The total efficiency from wave to wire with Wells turbine-generator set is 33.43% in regular waves and 15.82% in irregular waves. The peak total efficiency of the PBBDB with check valves equipped with the impulse turbine-generator set is 41.68% in regular waves and 27.10% in irregular waves. The efficiency of the turbine-generator set is about 30% in the tests. Obviously, the total efficiency can be further improved with the increasing of turbine efficiency.

Effects of Rotor Solidity on the Performance of Impulse Turbine for OWC Wave Energy Converter

Impulse turbine, working as a typical self-rectifying turbine, is recently utilized for the oscillating water column（OWC） wave energy converters, which can rotate in the same direction under the bi-directional air flows. A numerical model established in Fluent is validated by the corresponding experimental results. The flow fields, pressure distribution and dimensionless evaluating coefficients can be calculated and analyzed. Effects of the rotor solidity varying with the change of blade number are investigated and the suitable solidity value is recommended for different flow coefficients.

Experimental Investigation of the Small-scale Fixed Multi-chamber OWC Device

Sea wave energy generators or converters(WECs)have the potential to become a viable technology for clean,renewable energy production.Among the WEC technologies,the oscillating water columns(OWCs)are the most common WEC devices studied.These have been studied and developed over many years.Multi-chamber oscillating water columns(MC-OWC)have the potential to have a higher energy conversion when extracting energy in mixed sea states than single-chamber devices.In the work reported in this paper,physical experiments are carried under regular wave conditions to test the wave power extraction of a fixed MC-OWC small-scale model.The Power Take-Off(PTO)of the device is simulated using orifice plates.The flow characteristics through these orifices are pre-calibrated such that the extracted power can be obtained only using the pressure measurement.Wave condition effects on the damping of the PTO of the device power extraction are addressed.The test results illustrate that the PTO system damping is critical and affects device performance.

Hydrodynamic Performance of A Dual-Floater Integrated System Com-bining Hybrid WECs and Floating Breakwaters

The high investment and low return of wave energy converters(WECs)seriously hamper their large-scale commercial application.The integration of WECs and floating breakwaters is conducive to enhance the competitiveness of wave energy conversion.The objective of this paper is to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of a WEC-breakwater integrated system combining an upstream oscillating water column(OWC)and a downstream oscillating buoy(OB)via numerical simulations and physical experiments.A nonlinear numerical wave flume using Star-CCM+software is employed to obtain calculated results,where a tiny transverse gap is set between the flume wall and the block surface to simulate a similar two-dimensional(2D)model.The corresponding physical experiments are also carried out in a practical wave flume to verified the numerical results.The comparison of the isolated and hybrid system shows that the hybrid design leads to the decreased conversion efficiency of each WEC,but improves the transmission performance of the hybrid system.The wave resonance between two devices causes the abrupt reduction of OWC efficiency and a positive correlation exists with the OB efficiency.The total efficiency of the hybrid system is raised by an optimal opening ratio,a shallow OWC draft and a short spacing distance.Except for the OWC draft,other design parameters have weak effect on the wave attenuation of the hybrid system.This paper can help understand hydrodynamics of the hybrid WECs integrated with breakwaters and improve their performances.

A RANS-VoF Numerical Model to Analyze the Output Power of An OWC-WEC Equipped with Wells and Impulse Turbines in A Hypothetical Sea-State

Wave energy is a renewable source with significant amount in relation to the global demand. A good concept of a device applied to extract this type of energy is the onshore oscillating water column wave energy converter(OWC-WEC). This study shows a numerical analysis of the diameter determination of two types of turbines, Wells and Impulse, installed in an onshore OWC device subjected to a hypothetical sea state. Commercial software FLUENT?,which is based on RANS-VoF(Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations and Volume of Fluid technique), is employed. A methodology that imposes air pressure on the chamber, considering the air compressibility effect, is used. The mathematical domain consists of a 10 m deep flume with a 10 m long and 10 m wide OWC chamber at its end(geometry is similar to that of the Pico's plant installed in Azores islands, Portugal). On the top of the chamber, a turbine works with air exhalation and inhalation induced by the water free surface which oscillates due to the incident wave. The hypothetical sea state, represented by a group of regular waves with periods from 6 to 12 s and heights from 1.00 to 2.00 m(each wave with an occurrence frequency), is considered to show the potential of the presented methodology. Maximum efficiency(relation between the average output and incident wave powers) of46% was obtained by using a Wells turbine with the diameter of 2.25 m, whereas the efficiency was 44% by an Impulse turbine with the diameter of 1.70 m.

双气室型OWC装置波能俘获特性的试验研究

本文针对双气室型OWC装置的波能俘获特性开展试验研究,主要探讨了不同开孔率、气室数量和波浪非线性对波能俘获效率的影响规律,并与同水柱体积的单气室型OWC波能装置进行对比。结果表明:开孔率为1.0%时,单气室OWC装置波能俘获效率最大;波浪非线性对双气室型OWC装置波能俘获效率影响较大,非线性越强,总波能俘获效率越低;后气室在高频区的波能俘获效率降低,低频区波能俘获效率升高;开孔率为1.0%情况下,相比于传统单气室型OWC波能装置,双气室型OWC装置波能俘获效率更高,最佳波能俘获效率提高约11.4%。