Capture performance of a square-shaped dual-chamber floating oscillating water column wave energy converter
LI Meng1, YANG Zehua1, WU Rukang1,2, CHEN Yu1,2,3, WU Bijun4, ZHANG Yanqin1
1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing Institute of Technology (NJIT), Nanjing 211167, China; 2. Yanshan University-Nanjing Institute of Technology Joint Research Institute, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China; 3. School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; 4. Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
摘要方形双气室漂浮振荡水柱(oscillating water column,OWC)波能模型主要利用波能模型的垂荡运动俘获波能,通过双气室输出气流能驱动透平发电机组转换能量。为探究双气室波能模型的初级能量转换特性,采用数值计算和实验测试相结合的方法研究了模型的俘获性能。数值计算结果表明双气室波能模型在浮体垂荡固有周期附近运动响应最大,且俘获性能可达到最高水平;入射波方向与模型的夹角对其俘获性能影响较大,夹角为0°即双气室前后布置时,模型的俘获性能最佳。实验表明,在规则波下,前后布置的双气室波能模型的俘获性能优于左右布置的双气室模型,且2种模型的最佳俘获性能对应的波周期不同。前、后气室的最佳俘获性能对应的周期不一致,故双气室前后布置能拓宽模型总俘获性能的最佳响应周期范围。在不规则波下,前后双气室波能模型的最大俘获宽度比达到41.84%,接近规则波下的84%。
Abstract：[Objective] The square-shaped dual-chamber floating oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter is designed to convert wave energy through the heave motion of its floating structure. This device uses airflow channeled from the dual chambers to drive a turbine generator, making it essential to investigate its primary energy conversion characteristics.[Methods] Numerical calculations and experimental tests were conducted to study the model's capture performance. Hydrodynamic software was used to simulate the response of the dual-chamber floating OWC wave energy model under different wave conditions. Regular wave experiments verified the accuracy of these simulations and evaluated the model's performance, while irregular wave experiments assessed its capture performance in real marine environments.[Results] The numerical analysis indicated that the motion response of the dual-chamber wave energy model peaks near the heave natural period of the floating body, optimizing energy capture. It was also found that the angle between the incident wave direction and the model significantly affects performance. When the chambers are aligned front to back (0° angle), energy capture is maximized, suggesting this arrangement is the most effective. To verify the numerical calculations and assess the actual performance of the wave energy model, regular wave experiments were carried out. These experiments demonstrated that when the dual chambers of the floating OWC wave energy model are arranged front to back, the capture performance is superior compared to the left-right arrangement. The optimal capture performance periods for the front and back chambers of the model are not aligned, allowing the front-to-back chamber arrangement to broaden the range of optimal response periods, thereby enhancing the system's overall energy capture efficiency. Additionally, to evaluate the capture performance of the dual-chamber floating OWC wave energy model in real marine environments, irregular wave experiments were conducted. The experimental results showed a maximum capture width ratio of 41.84% under irregular wave conditions, which is close to 84% of its performance under regular waves. This indicates that the dual-chamber wave energy model maintains strong energy capture capability and stability even in challenging marine conditions.[Conclusions] Combining the results of numerical calculations and experimental tests, the dual-chamber floating OWC wave energy model exhibits excellent energy conversion performance across different wave conditions. The innovative front-to-back arrangement design of the dual chambers significantly enhances capture performance and broadens the range of optimal response periods. This research provides new ideas and methods for the development of wave energy conversion technology. The results have significant implications for optimizing and practically applying wave energy solutions, and they are expected to promote the development and utilization of marine renewable energy, thereby contributing positively to the advancement of green energy.
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2025, Vol. 65 
