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Evaluation of air compressibility effects on the performance of fixed OWC wave energy converters using CFD modelling

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  • Simonetti, I.
  • Cappietti, L.
  • Elsafti, H.
  • Oumeraci, H.

Abstract

This study presents an evaluation of the error induced by neglecting the effect of air compressibility in modelling Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converters. A compressible two phases CFD model in the open-source software package OpenFOAM® is validated and then used to simulate a fixed OWC device, detached from the sea bottom. A comparative analysis of the results obtained by simulating the device at full-scale (1:1) and at four smaller scales (1:50, 1:25, 1:10 and 1:5) is performed in order to assess the scale effects associated with air compressibility. Indeed, for the air pressure levels considered in the simulations (up to 350 Pa at model scale 1:50), the effect of neglecting the air compressibility results in an overestimation up to about 15% for the air pressure in the OWC chamber and the subsequent air volume flux, but less than 10% for the capture width ratio. This overestimation increases with increasing pressure level. Results are analysed in terms of dimensionless parameters and a new parameter, strongly related to the compressible effects, is proposed and used to provide generalized equations delivering correction factors.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:119:y:2018:i:c:p:741-753
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.12.027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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