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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weoncheol Koo ◽  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Moo-Hyun Kim
Author(s):  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Weoncheol Koo ◽  
Moo-Hyun Kim

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Weoncheol Koo

The hydrodynamic performance of a vertical cylindrical heaving buoy-type floating wave energy converter under large-amplitude wave conditions was calculated. For this study, a three-dimensional fully nonlinear potential-flow numerical wave tank (3D-FN-PNWT) was developed. The 3D-FN-PNWT was based on the boundary element method with Rankine panels. Using the mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian (MEL) method for water particle movement, nonlinear waves were produced in the PNWT. The PNWT can calculate the wave forces acting on the buoy accurately using an acceleration potential approach. The constant panels and least-square gradient reconstruction method were applied to regridding of computational boundaries. An artificial damping zone was employed to satisfy the open-sea conditions at the end free surface boundaries. The diffraction and radiation problems were solved, and their solutions were confirmed by a comparison with previous studies. The interaction of the incident wave, floating body, and power take-off (PTO) behavior was examined in the time domain using the developed 3D-FN-PNWT. From comparison, the difference between the conventional linear analysis and the nonlinear analysis in large-amplitude waves was examined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hongxuan (Heather) Peng ◽  
Wei Qiu ◽  
Wei Meng ◽  
Meng Chen ◽  
Brian Lundrigan ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 2499-2516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Windt ◽  
Josh Davidson ◽  
Edward J. Ransley ◽  
Deborah Greaves ◽  
Morten Jakobsen ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ryan S. Nicoll ◽  
Charles F. Wood ◽  
André R. Roy

Development of wave energy conversion systems may yield many key benefits for society such as the production of electrical power or fresh water for remote communities. However, complex ocean dynamics make it difficult for technology developers to not only address the stability and survivability of their systems, but also to establish energy conversion rates that are fundamental to proving economic viability. Building physical prototypes presents many challenges in terms of cost, accessible facilities, and time requirements. The use of accurate numerical modelling and computer simulation can help guide design and significantly reduce the number of physical prototype tests required and as a result play a primary role in the development of wave energy conversion systems that have to operate in challenging marine environments. SurfPower is an ocean wave energy converter (WEC) that converts wave motion into useful energy through surge and heave motion of a point absorber. The system pumps seawater into a high pressure hydraulic network that generates electricity via a turbine or freshwater via desalination at a facility onshore. The system is nonlinear due to the significant change in draft and mooring reaction load through the energy capture cycle of the device. This makes the use of nonlinear time domain simulation ideal for analysis and design of the system. Furthermore, utilizing a simplified nonlinear hydrodynamic model available in the time domain results in a practical early-stage design tool for system refinement. The focus of this work is to compare the results of scale model testing completed at the Institute for Ocean Technology in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with results produced from an equivalent system simulated in the time domain simulation software ProteusDS. The results give an assessment of the range of error that can be used to assess other experiments of the SurfPower WEC at full scale.


Author(s):  
Francis J. M. Farley

The time-domain simulation follows the heaving of the conical float in waves and calculates the bag shape, ballast motion, adiabatic air pressure and the flow through the turbine. There are two independent oscillators, the float with its resonance and the bag/ballast with its resonance. The coupling of the two oscillators gives rise to a wide band response with two peaks in the capture width each reaching the theoretical λ /2 π . In this new wave energy converter, apart from the turbine, there are no mechanical moving parts, no joints nor pistons, no end stops nor sliding seals, no flaps nor one-way valves. The expected life of the airtight flexible bag remains to be determined, but potential manufacturers are optimistic.


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