Wave Loading on a Moored OWC Wave Energy Device

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Finnigan
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Chamber Model ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Scale Design ◽  
The Waves

This paper describes results from wave tank testing on a 1/25 scale model of a moored oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy device. The device incorporates a piece-wise linear parabolic wall to focus the waves onto a three-sided OWC chamber. Model tests were conducted to determine the mooring line loads and associated structure motions in both a taut-moored floating configuration and a semi-fixed configuration. All six degrees of motion were recorded continuously along with forces in twelve mooring lines. Tests were conducted for a range of wave conditions and angles of incidence. For a device with a 35m wide parabolic wall (prototype scale), peak mooring line forces below 350Te were measured. In extreme conditions, heave motions were found to exceed design requirements in the floating configuration but this was rectified in the semi-fixed configuration. The paper presents a summary of the average results found and some of the dynamic response characteristics of the structure in various sea conditions. Implications for full-scale design and operation of the device are also discussed.

Experimental Study on the Dynamic Response of a Moored Floating Wave Energy Device

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Vijayakrishna Rapaka ◽  
R. Natarajan ◽  
S. Neelamani
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Ocean Engineering ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Wave Flume ◽  
Engineering Department

A detailed experimental investigation conducted on a moored Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy device has been reported in this paper. The experiments were conducted on 1:20 scale model of the wave energy device, which was moored to the bed using 6 mooring lines in a 2m wide (deep and shallow water) wave flume at Ocean Engineering Department, IITM, Chennai. A range of hydrodynamic parameters with different damping ratio of the OWC chamber at scope 4 (length of the mooring line/depth of water) for a constant water depth was used. The effect of non-dimensionalized parameters like non-dimensionlized wave frequency parameter (ω2B/2g) and device breadth to wave length ratio (B/L) on the mooring force and on the efficiency of the wave energy device has been studied. The motion responses and mooring forces were measured and the test results are analysed and presented with discussions in this paper.

scholarly journals Mooring Analysis of a Floating OWC Wave Energy Converter

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Alana Pols ◽  
Eric Gubesch ◽  
Nagi Abdussamie ◽  
Irene Penesis ◽  
Christopher Chin
Keyword(s):  
Incident Wave ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Restoring Force ◽  
Acceptable Method

This investigation focuses on the modelling of a floating oscillating water column (FOWC) wave energy converter with a numerical code (ANSYS AQWA) based on potential flow theory. Free-floating motions predicted by the numerical model were validated against experimental data extrapolated from a 1:36 scale model device in regular and irregular sea states. Upon validation, an assessment of the device’s motions when dynamically coupled with a four-line catenary mooring arrangement was conducted at different incident wave angles and sea states ranging from operational to survivable conditions, including the simulation of the failure of a single mooring line. The lack of viscosity in the numerical modelling led to overpredicted motions in the vicinity of the resonant frequencies; however, the addition of an external linear damping coefficient was shown to be an acceptable method of mitigating these discrepancies. The incident wave angle was found to have a limited influence on the magnitudes of heave, pitch, and surge motions. Furthermore, the obtained results indicated that the mooring restoring force is controlled by the forward mooring lines under the tested conditions.

Contribution of the Mooring System to the Low-Frequency Motions of a Semisubmersible in Combined Wave and Current

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amany M. A. Hassan ◽  
Martin J. Downie ◽  
Atilla Incecik ◽  
R. Baarholm ◽  
P. A. Berthelsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Current Field ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Low Frequency Motion

This paper presents the results of an experiment carried out on a semi-submersible model to measure the steady drift force and low frequency surge motions. In the experiments, the influence of mooring systems was also investigated in different combinations of current and sea state. The measurements were carried out with a 1/50 scale model which was moored using horizontal springs and catenary mooring lines. A comparative study of the mean values of steady drift motions and the standard deviation of the low frequency motion amplitudes is presented. In addition, the effect of current on the damping ratio is discussed. It is found that for both horizontal and catenary moorings, the presence of a current increases the damping ratio of the system. For the catenary mooring system, as expected, the presence of mooring lines and their interaction with waves and current increases the damping compared to the damping of the horizontal mooring system. The measured mean values of the surge motions in a wave–current field are compared to the superposed values of those obtained from waves and current separately. For the horizontal mooring, it is found that there is good agreement in moderate sea states, while in higher sea states the measured motion responses are larger. In the wave-current field, the standard deviation of the surge motion amplitudes is found to be less than that obtained in waves alone. This can be explained by the increased magnitude of the damping ratio. Only in the cases of high sea states with the horizontal mooring system, was it found that the standard deviation of the surge motions is slightly larger than those obtained for waves and current separately. This may be explained by the absence of catenary mooring line damping.

Floating Moored Oscillating Water Column With Meshless SPH Method

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro J. C. Crespo ◽  
Matthew Hall ◽  
José M. Domínguez ◽  
Corrado Altomare ◽  
Minghao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Energy Converters

The meshless method called Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is here proposed to simulate floating Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Converters (WECs). The SPH-based DualSPHysics code is coupled with MoorDyn, an open-source dynamic mooring line model. The coupled model is first validated using laboratory tests of a floating solid box moored to the wave flume bottom using four mooring lines interacting with regular waves. The numerical free-surface elevation at different locations, the motions of the floating solid box (heave, surge and pitch) and the tensions in the mooring lines are compared with the experimental data. Secondly, the coupled model is employed to simulate a floating OWC WEC moored to the sea bottom, while numerical results are also validated using data from physical modelling. The numerical results are promising to simulate floating OWC WECs. However, some discrepancies are noticed since the simulations presented in this work only consider a single-phase (water) so the full OWC WEC behaviour is only partially reproduced. Nevertheless, considering the aforementioned limitations, DualSPHysics can be used at this stage as complementary tool to physical modelling for a preliminary design of floating wave energy converters.

scholarly journals Mathematical and Numerical Modelling of Wave Impact on Wave-Energy Buoys

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kalogirou ◽  
O. Bokhove
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modelling ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Water Waves ◽  
Wave Equations ◽  
Rogue Waves ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Wave Impact ◽  
Energy Device ◽  
Surface Deviation

We report on the mathematical and numerical modelling of amplified rogue waves driving a wave-energy device in a contraction. This wave-energy device consists of a floating buoy attached to an AC-induction motor and constrained to move upward only in a contraction, for which we have realised a working scale-model. A coupled Hamiltonian system is derived for the dynamics of water waves and moving wave-energy buoys. This nonlinear model consists of the classical water wave equations for the free surface deviation and velocity potential, coupled to a set of equations describing the dynamics of a wave-energy buoy. As a stepping stone, the model is solved numerically for the case of linear shallow water waves causing the motion of a simple buoy structure with V-shaped cross-sections, using a variational (dis)continuous Galerkin finite element method.

Coupled Mooring Analysis and Large Scale Model Tests on a Deepwater Calm Buoy in Mild Wave Conditions

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. H. J. Bunnik ◽  
G. de Boer ◽  
J. L. Cozijn ◽  
J. van der Cammen ◽  
E. van Haaften ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Tests ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Wave Forces ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Pitch Moment ◽  
Numerical Tool ◽  
Decay Tests

This paper describes a series of model tests aimed at gaining insight in the tension variations in the export risers and mooring lines of a CALM buoy. The test result were therefore not only analysed carefully, but were also used as input and to validate a numerical tool that computes the coupled motions of the buoy and its mooring system. The tests were carried out at a model scale of 1 to 20. Captive tests in regular and irregular waves were carried out to investigate non-linearities in the wave forces on the buoy for example from the presence of the skirt. Decay tests were carried out to determine the damping of the buoy’s motions and to obtain the natural periods. Finally, tests in irregular waves were carried out. The dynamics of the mooring system and the resulting damping have a significant effect on the buoy’s motions. A numerical tool has been developed that combines the wave-frequency buoy motions with the dynamical behaviour of the mooring system. The motions of the buoy are computed with a linearised equation of motion. The non-linear motions of the mooring system are computed simultaneously and interact with the buoy’s motions. In this paper, a comparison is shown between the measurements and the simulations. Firstly, the wave forces obtained with a linear diffraction computation with a simplified skirt are compared with the measured wave forces. Secondly, the numerical modelling of the mooring system is checked by comparing line tensions when the buoy moves with the motion as measured in an irregular wave test. Thirdly, the decay tests are simulated to investigate the correctness of the applied viscous damping values. Finally, simulations of a test in irregular waves are shown to validate the entire integrated concept. The results show that: 1. The wave-exciting surge and heave forces can be predicted well with linear diffraction theory. However, differences between the measured and computed pitch moment are found, caused by a simplified modelling of the skirt and the shortcomings of the diffraction model. 2. To predict the tension variations in the mooring lines and risers (and estimate fatigue) it is essential that mooring line dynamics are taken into account. 3. The heave motions of the buoy are predicted well. 4. The surge motions of the buoy are predicted reasonably well. 5. The pitch motions are wrongly predicted.

scholarly journals Experimental Validation and Comparison of Numerical Models for the Mooring System of a Floating Wave Energy Converter

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Paduano ◽  
Giuseppe Giorgi ◽  
Rui P. F. Gomes ◽  
Edoardo Pasta ◽  
João C. C. Henriques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Lumped Mass ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Efficiency Cost ◽  
Numerical Instabilities

The mooring system of floating wave energy converters (WECs) has a crucial impact on power generation efficiency, cost of delivered energy, proper operation, reliability and survivability. An effective design, addressing such competing objectives, requires appropriate mathematical models to predict mooring loads and dynamic response. However, conversely to traditional offshore engineering applications, experience in modelling mooring systems for WECs is limited, due to their unique requirement of maximising the motion while minimising loads and costs. Even though modelling approaches and software are available for this application, guidelines and critical comparison are still scarce. This paper proposes a discussion and validation of three mooring-line models: one quasi-static approach (developed in-house) and two dynamic lumped-mass approaches (the open source MoorDyn and the commercial OrcaFlex). The case study is a 1:32-scale prototype of a floating oscillating water column WEC tested in a wave tank, with three mooring lines, each one comprising of a riser and a clump weight. Validation, performed by imposing fairlead displacements and comparing resulting tensions, shows good agreement. The small scale may induce numerical instabilities and uncertainties in the parameter estimation. Finally, likely due to internal resonance of this particular mooring system, high-frequency content in the mooring tension is found, albeit absent in the kinematics of the floater.

Experimental Investigation of Mooring Line Loading Using Large and Small-Scale Models

2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Kitney ◽  
David T. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Highly Nonlinear

For catenary mooring lines, the relationship between excursion of the point of suspension and the length of suspended line is highly nonlinear. If the point of suspension is then set in motion, the velocity of the line resulting from a change in catenary profile induces additional nonlinear hydrodynamic loading components. The sensitivity of the mooring line to initial and oscillatory conditions results in a complicated tension history at the point of suspension, with line tensions possibly greatly exceeding those predicted by static analyses. This paper presents results from an experimental investigation into the response of a large (1:16) and small (1:70) scale single-chain catenary model mooring line when subject to a comprehensive, and equivalent, range of excitation parameters. Tests were performed at purpose-built test facilities. Small-scale model tests were carried out at University College London (UCL). Large-scale model mooring line tests were completed at the Ship Dynamics Laboratory, Canal de Experiencias Hidrodinamicas de El Pardo (CEHIPAR), Madrid, Spain. Funding for the model tests performed in Spain was provided through the European Union Access to Large Scale Facilities—Training and Mobilisation of Researchers Program.

scholarly journals Transient Responses Evaluation of FPSO with Different Failure Scenarios of Mooring Lines

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Dongsheng Qiao ◽  
Binbin Li ◽  
Jun Yan ◽  
Yu Qin ◽  
Haizhi Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Condition ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Transient Effects ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Transient Responses ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Performance Deterioration ◽  
Steady State Responses ◽  
Influence Process

During the long-term service condition, the mooring line of the deep-water floating platform may fail due to various reasons, such as overloading caused by an accidental condition or performance deterioration. Therefore, the safety performance under the transient responses process should be evaluated in advance, during the design phase. A series of time-domain numerical simulations for evaluating the performance changes of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) with different broken modes of mooring lines was carried out. The broken conditions include the single mooring line or two mooring lines failure under ipsilateral, opposite, and adjacent sides. The resulting transient and following steady-state responses of the vessel and the mooring line tensions were analyzed, and the corresponding influence mechanism was investigated. The accidental failure of a single or two mooring lines changes the watch circle of the vessel and the tension redistribution of the remaining mooring lines. The results indicated that the failure of mooring lines mainly influences the responses of sway, surge, and yaw, and the change rule is closely related to the stiffness and symmetry of the mooring system. The simulation results could give a profound understanding of the transient-effects influence process of mooring line failure, and the suggestions are given to account for the transient effects in the design of the mooring system.

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