A submerged cylinder wave energy converter

2013 ◽  
Vol 716 ◽  
pp. 566-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Crowley ◽  
R. Porter ◽  
D. V. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Crest ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Passive Component ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Rotation Rates ◽  
Sea Bed

AbstractA novel design concept for a wave energy converter (WEC) is presented and analysed. Its purpose is to balance the theoretical capacity for power absorption against engineering design issues which plague many existing WEC concepts. The WEC comprises a fully submerged buoyant circular cylinder tethered to the sea bed by a simple mooring system which permits coupled surge and roll motions of the cylinder. Inside the cylinder a mechanical system of pendulums rotate with power generated by the relative rotation rates of the pendulums and the cylinder. The attractive features of this design include: making use of the mooring system as a passive component of the power take off (PTO); using a submerged device to protect it from excessive forces associated with extreme wave conditions; locating the PTO within the device and using a PTO mechanism which does not need to be constrained; exploiting multiple resonances of the system to provide a broad-banded response. A mathematical model is developed which couples the hydrodynamic waves forces on the device with the internal pendulums under a linearized framework. For a cylinder spanning a wave tank (equivalent to a two-dimensional assumption) maximum theoretical power for this WEC device is limited to 50 % maximum efficiency. However, numerical results show that a systematically optimized system can generate theoretical efficiencies of more than 45 % over a 6 s range of wave period containing most of the energy in a typical energy spectrum. Furthermore, three-dimensional results for a cylinder of finite length provide evidence that a cylinder device twice the length of its diameter can produce more than its own length in the power of an equivalent incident wave crest.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of a Wave Energy Converter Dynamics Model to Nonlinear Hydrostatic Models

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan G. Coe ◽  
Diana L. Bull
Keyword(s):  
Linear Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Domain Model ◽  
Interpolation Model ◽  
Surface Integral ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Motion Constraints ◽  
Large Improvement

A three dimensional time-domain model, based on Cummins equation, has been developed for an axisymmetric point absorbing wave energy converter (WEC) with an irregular cross section. This model incorporates a number of nonlinearities to accurately account for the dynamics of the device: hydrostatic restoring, motion constraints, saturation of the power-take-off force, and kinematic nonlinearities. Here, an interpolation model of the hydrostatic restoring reaction is developed and compared with a surface integral based method. The effects of these nonlinear hydrostatic models on device dynamics are explored by comparing predictions against those of a linear model. For the studied WEC, the interpolation model offers a large improvement over a linear model and is roughly two orders-of-magnitude less computationally expensive than the surface integral based method.

Optimization of Mooring Configuration Parameters of Floating Wave Energy Converters

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro C. Vicente ◽  
Anto´nio F. O. Falca˜o ◽  
Paulo A. P. Justino
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Domain Model ◽  
Floating Point ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Devices ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Energy Converters

Floating point absorbers devices are a large class of wave energy converters for deployment offshore, typically in water depths between 40 and 100m. As floating oil and gas platforms, the devices are subject to drift forces due to waves, currents and wind, and therefore have to be kept in place by a proper mooring system. Although similarities can be found between the energy converting systems and floating platforms, the mooring design requirements will have some important differences between them, one of them associated to the fact that, in the case of a wave energy converter, the mooring connections may significantly modify its energy absorption properties by interacting with its oscillations. It is therefore important to examine what might be the more suitable mooring design for wave energy devices, according to the converters specifications. When defining a mooring system for a device, several initial parameters have to be established, such as cable material and thickness, distance to the mooring point on the bottom, and which can influence the device performance in terms of motion, power output and survivability. Different parameters, for which acceptable intervals can be established, will represent different power absorptions, displacements from equilibrium position, load demands on the moorings and of course also different costs. The work presented here analyzes what might be, for wave energy converter floating point absorber, the optimal mooring configuration parameters, respecting certain pre-established acceptable intervals and using a time-domain model that takes into account the non-linearities introduced by the mooring system. Numerical results for the mooring forces demands and also motions and absorbed power, are presented for two different mooring configurations for a system consisting of a hemispherical buoy in regular waves and assuming a liner PTO.

Design of the Mooring System for a Floating Wave Energy Converter

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 ◽  
pp. 1351-1355
Author(s):  
Xin He ◽  
Yougang Tang ◽  
Liqin Liu ◽  
Ruoyu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Energy Converter

Numerical Simulation of Duck Wave Energy Converter

2016 ◽  
Vol 693 ◽  
pp. 484-490
Author(s):  
Ying Xue Yao ◽  
Hai Long Li ◽  
Jin Ming Wu ◽  
Liang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Pitch Angle ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Angular Frequency ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Linear Wave ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Flow Theories

Duck wave energy converter has the advantages of high conversion efficiency, simple construction, low cost relative to other wave power device. In the paper, the numerical simulation of the response of the converter was calculated by the AQWA software which based on the three dimensional potential flow theories. The results show that the pitch angle appear the peak when the incident wave frequency is 1rad/s and the maximum of the pitch angle come out as the linear wave normally incident the duck body, which means duck wave energy converter can absorb more wave energy in this angular frequency. The above research can provide reference for the design of the duck wave energy converter.

Nonlinear Time-Domain Simulation of the Heaving-Buoy Type Wave Energy Converter by Using Three-Dimensional Potential Numerical Wave Tank Under Irregular Wave Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Weoncheol Koo ◽  
Moo-Hyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Numerical Wave Tank ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Tank ◽  
Type Wave ◽  
Numerical Wave

Abstract The aim of this paper is to evaluate the hydrodynamic performance of a heaving buoy type wave energy converter (WEC) and power take-off (PTO) system. To simulate the nonlinear behavior of the WEC with PTO system, a three-dimensional potential numerical wave tank (PNWT) was developed. The PNWT is a numerical analysis tool that can accurately reproduce experiments in physical wave tanks. The developed time-domain PNWT utilized the previously developed NWT technique and newly adopted the side wall damping area. The PNWT is based on boundary element method with constant panels. The mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian method (MEL) and acceleration potential approach were adopted to simulate the nonlinear behaviors of free-surface nodes associated with body motions. The PM spectrum as an irregular incident wave condition was applied to the input boundary. A floating or fixed type WEC structure was placed in the center of the computational domain. A hydraulic PTO system composed of a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic motor and generator was modeled with approximate Coulomb damping force and applied to the WEC system. Using the integrated numerical model of the WEC with PTO system, nonlinear interaction of irregular waves, the WEC structure, and the PTO system were simulated in the time domain. The optimal hydraulic pressure of the PTO condition was predicted. The hydrodynamic performance of the WEC was evaluated by comparing the linear and nonlinear analytical results and highlighted the importance accounting for nonlinear free surfaces.

scholarly journals Resonant behaviour of an oscillating wave energy converter in a channel

2012 ◽  
Vol 701 ◽  
pp. 482-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiliano Renzi ◽  
F. Dias
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Velocity Potential ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Hypersingular Integral Equation ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Theory Application ◽  
Incident Waves ◽  
Resonant Mechanism ◽  
Recent Laboratory

AbstractA mathematical model is developed to study the behaviour of an oscillating wave energy converter in a channel. During recent laboratory tests in a wave tank, peaks in the hydrodynamic actions on the converter occurred at certain frequencies of the incident waves. This resonant mechanism is known to be generated by the transverse sloshing modes of the channel. Here the influence of the channel sloshing modes on the performance of the device is further investigated. Within the framework of a linear inviscid potential-flow theory, application of Green’s theorem yields a hypersingular integral equation for the velocity potential in the fluid domain. The solution is found in terms of a fast-converging series of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. The physical behaviour of the system is then analysed, showing sensitivity of the resonant sloshing modes to the geometry of the device, which concurs in increasing the maximum efficiency. Analytical results are validated with available numerical and experimental data.

scholarly journals A Design of Mooring System for Floating Wave Energy Converter in Shallow Water

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (182) ◽  
pp. 341-348
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Osawa ◽  
Yoshinori Nagata ◽  
Syogo Miyajima ◽  
Hisaaki Maeda
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Energy Converter

Experimental Study the Performance of a Compact Mooring System for a Dual Chamber Floating Oscillating Water Column Device

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Xu ◽  
K. Rezanejad ◽  
Shan Wang ◽  
J. F. M. Gadelho ◽  
C. Guedes Soares
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Six Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Motion Responses

Abstract A compact mooring system concept is proposed. This novel mooring is composed of submerged buoy and three segments of nylon ropes, which is suitable for the large wave energy converters and wave energy converter array due to its high flexibility and small mooring radius. The performance of this mooring concept was studied experimentally when it was moored to an oscillating water column. The damping of the oscillating water column was modelled by an orifice on top of the chamber. Both regular and irregular head sea wave tests were conducted. In order to study the influence of wave height on system dynamics, two series of regular wave tests with same periods but different wave heights were conducted. An optical tracking system was installed to capture six degrees of freedom motion responses of oscillating water column. The air pressure in the chamber was measured by the air pressure sensor. Two load cells were installed on the top of mooring lines to measure mooring tension time series. Besides, the wave surface elevations inside the chamber were measured by the wave gauges. According to the experimental results, the six degrees of freedom motion responses of floating wave energy converter and mooring tensions are analyzed. Besides, the energy conversion efficiency is evaluated based on the measured data.

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.

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