IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v346y2026ics0360544226003464.html

Efficiency enhancement of a unidirectional impulse turbine for dual-chamber OWC wave energy converters

Author

Listed:
  • Pu, Min
  • Huang, Zhenhai
  • Chen, Wenchuang
  • Xu, Miao
  • Du, Haoyang
  • Wu, Peng
  • Huang, Luofeng

Abstract

To address the efficiency limitations of conventional bidirectional turbines in oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy conversion systems, this study proposes a novel dual-chamber OWC configuration coupled with unidirectional impulse turbines. A steady-state Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model based on viscous fluid theory was established and validated against experimental data. Using this model, a comprehensive parametric optimization was performed on rotor blade number, guide vane number, and blade installation angles to enhance aerodynamic performance. The optimized unidirectional turbine achieved a 59.89 % increase in average efficiency and a 67.97 % improvement in peak efficiency compared to a reference bidirectional turbine. Furthermore, the total number of rotor blades and guide vanes was reduced by 26.67 % and 42.31 %, respectively, significantly lowering material requirements and manufacturing costs. Flow field analyses revealed improved pressure distribution, reduced separation zones, and enhanced wake uniformity. This study demonstrates the potential of integrating unidirectional turbines into dual-chamber OWC systems to improve energy conversion performance and reduce structural complexity. The findings provide valuable design insights for wave energy converters. Future work will extend to transient simulations and experimental validation under oscillatory flow conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Pu, Min & Huang, Zhenhai & Chen, Wenchuang & Xu, Miao & Du, Haoyang & Wu, Peng & Huang, Luofeng, 2026. "Efficiency enhancement of a unidirectional impulse turbine for dual-chamber OWC wave energy converters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:346:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226003464
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140244
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544226003464
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2026.140244?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xie, Weixin & Chen, Wenchuang & Huang, Wei & Huang, Luofeng, 2025. "Enhancing wave energy conversion in oscillating water column devices using breather valve-based pneumatic regulation: A CFD study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    2. Elhanafi, Ahmed & Macfarlane, Gregor & Fleming, Alan & Leong, Zhi, 2017. "Scaling and air compressibility effects on a three-dimensional offshore stationary OWC wave energy converter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 1-20.
    3. Yang, Lei & Li, Binbin & Dong, Yehong & Hu, Zhenzhong & Zhang, Kai & Li, Sunwei, 2025. "Large-amplitude rotation of floating offshore wind turbines: A comprehensive review of causes, consequences, and solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    4. Mohammad Nasim Uddin & Frimpong Opoku & Michael Atkinson, 2024. "Investigation of a Modified Wells Turbine for Wave Energy Extraction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-26, July.
    5. Ning, De-zhi & Wang, Rong-quan & Chen, Li-fen & Sun, Ke, 2019. "Experimental investigation of a land-based dual-chamber OWC wave energy converter," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 48-60.
    6. Wang, Chen & Zhang, Yongliang & Xu, Haochun & Chen, Wenchuang, 2024. "Wave power extraction from an integrated system composed of a three-unit oscillating water column array and an inclined breakwater," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    7. Simonetti, I. & Cappietti, L. & Elsafti, H. & Oumeraci, H., 2018. "Evaluation of air compressibility effects on the performance of fixed OWC wave energy converters using CFD modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 741-753.
    8. Mala, K. & Jayaraj, J. & Jayashankar, V. & Muruganandam, T.M. & Santhakumar, S. & Ravindran, M. & Takao, M. & Setoguchi, T. & Toyota, K. & Nagata, S., 2011. "A twin unidirectional impulse turbine topology for OWC based wave energy plants – Experimental validation and scaling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 307-314.
    9. Setoguchi, T & Santhakumar, S & Maeda, H & Takao, M & Kaneko, K, 2001. "A review of impulse turbines for wave energy conversion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 261-292.
    10. Guo, Peng & Zhang, Yongliang & Chen, Wenchuang & Wang, Chen, 2024. "Fully coupled simulation of dynamic characteristics of a backward bent duct buoy oscillating water column wave energy converter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    11. Taherian Haghighi, Ali & Nikseresht, Amir H. & Hayati, Mohammad, 2021. "Numerical analysis of hydrodynamic performance of a dual-chamber Oscillating Water Column," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    12. Wang, Chen & Zhang, Yongliang & Xu, Haochun & Guo, Peng & Yang, Huanbing, 2025. "Enhancing wave power focus with periodic wave-guiding walls in a three-unit oscillating water column array integrated with a vertical breakwater," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    13. Xu, Haochun & Zhang, Yongliang & Wang, Chen & Yang, Huanbin, 2025. "Numerical investigation on a floating multi-chamber pneumatic wave energy conversion device with three sub-units," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 394(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Qu, Ming & Bao, Xingxian & Bao, Jian & Li, Yufeng & Yang, Huiting, 2026. "Influence of liquid surface movement in chamber on conversion characteristics of offshore OWC device under irregular waves," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    2. Zeng, Yuxin & Shi, Wei & Michailides, Constantine & Ren, Zhengru & Li, Xin, 2022. "Turbulence model effects on the hydrodynamic response of an oscillating water column (OWC) with use of a computational fluid dynamics model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PA).
    3. Guo, Peng & Zhang, Yongliang & Chen, Wenchuang, 2023. "Numerical analysis on a self-rectifying impulse turbine with U-shaped duct for oscillating water column wave energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    4. Zhou, Yu & Ning, Dezhi & Liang, Dongfang & Cai, Shuqun, 2021. "Nonlinear hydrodynamic analysis of an offshore oscillating water column wave energy converter," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    5. Wang, Chen & Zhang, Yongliang & Xu, Haochun & Guo, Peng & Yang, Huanbin, 2025. "Enhancing power conversion via wave-guiding walls for an oscillating water column device integrated into a straight coast: Normal and oblique wave incidence," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    6. Pan, Jiapeng & Lin, Yuan & Weng, Junkang & Zheng, Siming & Wei, Maoxing & He, Fang, 2025. "An in-depth experimental investigation of power take-off damping effect on an offshore dual-chamber oscillating water column converter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    7. Xu, Haochun & Zhang, Yongliang & Wang, Chen, 2025. "Energy conversion performance of a floating wave energy converter array composed of backward bent duct buoys," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    8. Guo, Peng & Zhang, Yongliang & Chen, Wenchuang & Wang, Chen, 2024. "Fully coupled simulation of dynamic characteristics of a backward bent duct buoy oscillating water column wave energy converter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    9. Zhou, Jiachun & Zhou, Yu & Li, Chen & Zhao, Xuanlie, 2025. "Hydrodynamic analysis of a multi-chamber OWC array over coral reef bathymetry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(C).
    10. Qu, Ming & Yu, Dingyong & Li, Yufeng & Gao, Zhiyang, 2024. "Design and hydrodynamic study of a new pile-based breakwater-OWC device combined system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    11. Mobin Masoomi & Mahdi Yousefifard & Amir Mosavi, 2021. "Efficiency Assessment of an Amended Oscillating Water Column Using OpenFOAM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, May.
    12. Güths, A.K. & Teixeira, P.R.F. & Didier, E., 2022. "A novel geometry of an onshore Oscillating Water Column wave energy converter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 938-949.
    13. Carlo, Lilia & Iuppa, Claudio & Faraci, Carla, 2023. "A numerical-experimental study on the hydrodynamic performance of a U-OWC wave energy converter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 89-101.
    14. Gang, Ao & Guo, Baoming & Hu, Zhongbo & Hu, Rui, 2022. "Performance analysis of a coast – OWC wave energy converter integrated system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    15. Li, Qinzhang & Ning, Dezhi & Chen, Lifen & Wang, Rongquan, 2026. "Hydrodynamic investigation on a cylindrical OWC wave energy converter equipped with a local energy concentration device," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    16. Portillo, J.C.C. & Henriques, J.C.C. & Gato, L.M.C. & Falcão, A.F.O., 2023. "Model tests on a floating coaxial-duct OWC wave energy converter with focus on the spring-like air compressibility effect," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    17. Alam Towhid, MD. Shajratul & Hossain, Sumaiya Binte & Costa, Bhubon Thiotonius & Chakraborty, Bishawajit & Zanj, Amir, 2026. "Toward high-efficiency oscillating water column (OWC) systems: A focused review on turbine optimization, airflow control, and chamber interactions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PE).
    18. Yang, Can & Xu, Tingting & Wan, Chang & Liu, Hengxu & Su, Zuohang & Zhao, Lujun & Chen, Hailong & Johanning, Lars, 2023. "Numerical investigation of a dual cylindrical OWC hybrid system incorporated into a fixed caisson breakwater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    19. Gomes, R.P.F. & Henriques, J.C.C. & Gato, L.M.C. & Falcão, A.F.O., 2012. "Multi-point aerodynamic optimization of the rotor blade sections of an axial-flow impulse air turbine for wave energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 570-580.
    20. Orphin, Jarrah & Schmitt, Pál & Nader, Jean-Roch & Penesis, Irene, 2022. "Experimental investigation into laboratory effects of an OWC wave energy converter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 250-263.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:346:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226003464. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.