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Numerical analysis and wave tank validation on the optimal design of a two-body wave energy converter

Author

Listed:
  • Martin, Dillon
  • Li, Xiaofan
  • Chen, Chien-An
  • Thiagarajan, Krish
  • Ngo, Khai
  • Parker, Robert
  • Zuo, Lei

Abstract

To improve the performance of a ‘point absorber’ type wave energy converter (WEC), an additional submerged body can be deployed. The submerged body can be used to increase the equivalent excitation force on the WEC, as well as provide resonance tuning. This paper presents numerical analysis and experimental validation of a two-body point absorber type WEC using a mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) based power takeoff. The two-body point absorber consists of a floating buoy connected to a neutrally buoyant submerged body via the power-takeoff. The mechanical motion rectifier and a ball screw translate the relative heave motion of the two bodies into unidirectional rotation, which in turn spins a generator. Frequency domain analysis suggests there is an optimal submerged body mass for maximum WEC power absorption. Regular wave simulations in the time domain are compared to the results obtained in the frequency domain. While the time domain and frequency domain results predict the same optimal mass ratio, time domain analysis provides a more complex and accurate power result. To validate the time domain model, experimental wave tank testing is conducted using a 1:30 scale model WEC. The experiment shows the two-body WEC can produce twice the amount of power as the single-body WEC with same floating buoy and can be further increased by PTO design and power electronics optimization. Wave tank testing also shows the two-body WEC has a capture width ratio up to 58% at 59 kW/m and 51% at 36 kW/m.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin, Dillon & Li, Xiaofan & Chen, Chien-An & Thiagarajan, Krish & Ngo, Khai & Parker, Robert & Zuo, Lei, 2020. "Numerical analysis and wave tank validation on the optimal design of a two-body wave energy converter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 632-641.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:145:y:2020:i:c:p:632-641
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.05.109
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pablo Ropero-Giralda & Alejandro J. C. Crespo & Ryan G. Coe & Bonaventura Tagliafierro & José M. Domínguez & Giorgio Bacelli & Moncho Gómez-Gesteira, 2021. "Modelling a Heaving Point-Absorber with a Closed-Loop Control System Using the DualSPHysics Code," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Li, Qiaofeng & Mi, Jia & Li, Xiaofan & Chen, Shuo & Jiang, Boxi & Zuo, Lei, 2021. "A self-floating oscillating surge wave energy converter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    3. Xiao, Han & Liu, Zhenwei & Zhang, Ran & Kelham, Andrew & Xu, Xiangyang & Wang, Xu, 2021. "Study of a novel rotational speed amplified dual turbine wheel wave energy converter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    4. Zhongliang Meng & Yanjun Liu & Jian Qin & Shumin Sun, 2021. "Mooring Angle Study of a Horizontal Rotor Wave Energy Converter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Li, Xiaofan & Chen, ChienAn & Li, Qiaofeng & Xu, Lin & Liang, Changwei & Ngo, Khai & Parker, Robert G. & Zuo, Lei, 2020. "A compact mechanical power take-off for wave energy converters: Design, analysis, and test verification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    6. Mahmoodi, Kumars & Ghassemi, Hassan & Razminia, Abolhassan, 2020. "Performance assessment of a two-body wave energy converter based on the Persian Gulf wave climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 519-537.
    7. Yang, Yiqing & Chen, Peihao & Liu, Qiang, 2021. "A wave energy harvester based on coaxial mechanical motion rectifier and variable inertia flywheel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    8. Zhongliang Meng & Yanjun Liu & Jian Qin & Yun Chen, 2020. "Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Verification of a New Wave Energy Converter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    9. Rahimi, Amir & Rezaei, Saeed & Parvizian, Jamshid & Mansourzadeh, Shahriar & Lund, Jorrid & Hssini, Radhouane & Düster, Alexander, 2022. "Numerical and experimental study of the hydrodynamic coefficients and power absorption of a two-body point absorber wave energy converter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 181-193.
    10. Gong, Haoxiang & Cao, Feifei & Han, Zhi & Liu, Shangze & Shi, Hongda, 2022. "Study on the wave energy capture spectrum based on wave height take-off," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    11. Asai, Takehiko & Sugiura, Keita, 2021. "Numerical evaluation of a two-body point absorber wave energy converter with a tuned inerter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 217-226.

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