Caisson breakwaters embodying an OWC with a small opening—Part II: A small-scale field experiment

A common and intuitive idea is that, before an absorbing breakwater, waves are smaller than before a conventional reflecting breakwater. The theory of Part I has shown that, on the contrary, before a breakwater converter, in some cases, the wave height may be greater than before a conventional reflecting breakwater. Now, an experiment off the eastern coast of the Straits of Messina provides a confirmation of the theory: some huge amplifications of swells are common at a breakwater converter, and as a consequence the energy absorption gets very large. Here, we show the results of the experiment, and, basing ourselves on these results and on the theory of Part I, we suggest some practical way of calculation.     

On a new wave energy absorber

It is a commonly held opinion that only a forced resonance is possible between random wind-generated waves and wave energy absorbers; the forced resonance being pursued by means of devices for phase control. We show, instead, that it is possible to obtain an impressive natural resonance between random wind-generated waves and a new kind of absorber beneath the sea level. The proof is given through a small scale field experiment. This finding should enable us to defend coasts with a very low environmental impact and to use breakwaters for converting large quantities of wave energy into electric power.     

Analysis of Wells turbine design parameters by numerical simulation of the OWC performance

This paper investigates by numerical simulation the influence of the Wells turbine aerodynamic design on the overall plant performance, as affected by the turbine peak efficiency and the range of flow rates within which the turbine can operate efficiently. The problem of matching the turbine to an oscillating water column (OWC) is illustrated by taking the wave climate and the OWC of the Azores power converter. The study was performed using a time-domain mathematical model based on linear water wave theory and on model experiments in a wave tank. Results are presented of numerical simulations considering several aerodynamic designs of the Wells turbine, with and without guide vanes, and with the use of a bypass pressure-relief valve.     

Numerical Study on Air Turbines with Enhanced Techniques for OWC Wave Energy Conversion

In recent years, the oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter, which can capture wave energy from the ocean, has been widely applied all over the world. As the essential part of the OWC system, the impulse and Wells turbines are capable of converting the low pressure pneumatic energy into the mechanical shaft power. As an enhanced technique, the design of endplate or ring attached to the blade tip is investigated numerically in this paper. 3D numerical models based on a CFD-software FLUENT 12.0 are established and validated by the corresponding experimental results from the reports of Setoguchi et al. (2004) and Takao et al. (2001). Then the flow fields and non-dimensional evaluating coefficients are calculated and analyzed under steady conditions. Results show that the efficiency of impulse turbine with ring can reach up to 0.49 when φ=1, which is 4% higher than that in the cases for the endplate-type and the original one. And the ring-type Wells turbine with fixed guide vanes shows the best performance with the maximal efficiency of 0.55, which is 22% higher than that of the original one. In addition, the quasi-steady analysis is used to calculate the mean efficiency and output-work of a wave cycle under sinusoidal flow condition. Taking all together, this study provides support for structural optimization of impulse turbine and Wells turbine in the future.     

OWC wave energy devices with air flow control

A theoretical model is developed to simulate the energy conversion, from wave to turbine shaft, of an oscillating-water-column (OWC) plant equipped with a Wells air-turbine and with a valve (in series or in parallel with the turbine) for air-flow control. Numerical simulations show that the use of a control valve, by preventing or reducing the aerodynamic stall losses at the turbine rotor blades, may provide a way of substantially increasing the amount of energy produced by the plant, particularly at the higher incident wave power levels. From the hydrodynamic point of view, a by-pass valve or a throttle valve should be used depending on whether the wave energy absorbing system is over-damped or under-damped by the turbine.     

Breaking wave loads at vertical seawalls and breakwaters

This paper presents recent advances in knowledge on wave loads, based on experimental work carried out in the CIEM/LIM large flume at Barcelona within the framework of the VOWS (Violent Overtopping by Waves at Seawalls) project. Both quasi-static and impact wave forces from the new data set have been compared with predictions by empirical and analytical methods. The scatter in impact forces has been found to be large over the whole range of measurements, with no existing method giving especially good predictions. Based on general considerations, a simple and intuitive set of prediction formulae has been introduced for quasi-static and impact forces, and overturning moments, giving good agreement with the new measurements. New prediction formulae have been compared with previous measurements from physical model tests at small and large scale, giving satisfactory results over a relatively wide range of test conditions. The time variation of wave impacts is discussed, together with pressure distribution up the wall, which shows that within experimental limitations the measured pressures are within existing limits of previous study.     

Comparison of LIMPET contra-rotating wells turbine with theoretical and model test predictions

The performance of the contra-rotating Wells turbine installed in the LIMPET wave power station is compared to the predicted performance from theoretical analysis and model tests. A reasonable agreement was found between the predicted and measured turbine damping characteristic, however the turbine efficiency was found to be poorly predicted. It is postulated that this is due to the unsteady nature and mal-distribution of flow through the LIMPET turbine, which were not considered in the predictions. It is suggested that the reduced performance of the contra-rotating Wells turbine makes biplane or monoplane Wells turbines with guide vanes better solutions for OWC's.     

Dynamic response and sliding distance of composite breakwaters under breaking and non-breaking wave attack

Over the last 15 years improved awareness of wave impact induced failures has focused attention on the need to account for the dynamic response of maritime structures to wave impact load. In this work a non-linear model is introduced that allows evaluating the effective design load and the potential sliding of caisson breakwater subject to both pulsating and impulsive wave loads. The caisson dynamics is modelled using a time-step numerical method to solve numerically the equations of motion for a rigid body founded on multiple non-linear springs having both horizontal and vertical stiffness. The model is first shown to correctly describe the dynamics of caisson breakwaters subject to wave attack, including nonlinear features of wave–structure–soil interaction. Predictions of sliding distances by the new method are then compared with measurements from physical model tests, showing very good agreement with observations. The model succeeds in describing the physics that stands behind the process and is fast, accurate and flexible enough to be suitable for performance design of caisson breakwaters.     

用于Wells透平性能分析的稳态实验台研制

文中利用二维模型分析了威尔斯透平（Wells)的气动力性能，并以此为基础，设计并研制出多用途吸风式稳态透平试验台，该试验台一方面可用来研究稳态流动透平的总体气动性能以及稠密度、翼型等参数对透平性能的影响，另一方面又还可以测量透平前后的速度场、压力场，为分析透平气动损失、优化透平设计、提高波浪能转换效率提供手段。     

带纵摇前墙的新型振荡水柱式波浪能装置转换效率以及水动力性能数值研究

提出了一种带纵摇前墙的新型振荡水柱式波浪能(OWC)装置,借助Open FOAM开源代码平台和waves2Foam工具包,数值模拟研究带纵摇前墙OWC装置的水动力性能和转换效率。主要研究前墙吃水d_1、前墙密度ρ、后墙吃水d_2、旋转约束力(用无量纲弹簧系数K表示)对该装置的反射系数C_r、透射系数C_t、耗散系数C_d和波能转换效率ξ的影响规律。结果表明,纵摇前墙能有效减少能量耗散,提高波能转换效率ξ;无量纲弹簧系数K对装置转换效率的影响主要集中在短波区域,且在K为0时装置具有最大的转换效率和最宽的高效频率带;前墙的密度和吃水深度对水动力系数影响不大;后墙的吃水深度对水动力系数影响较大,增加吃水深度能有效提高装置对于中短波和中长波段的波能转换效率,但对系统整体的能量耗散系数影响不大。     

Evaluation of wave impact loads on caisson breakwaters based on joint probability of impact maxima and rise times

When waves break against seawalls, vertical breakwaters, piers or jetties, they abruptly transfer their momentum into the structure. This energy transfer is always spectacular and perpetually unrepeatable but can also be very violent and affect the stability and the integrity of coastal structures. Over the last 15 years, increasing awareness of wave-impact induced structural failures of maritime structures has emphasised the need for a more complete approach to dynamic responses, including effects of impulsive loads. At the same time, movement of design standards toward probabilistic approaches requires new statistical tools able to account for uncertainties in the variability of wave loading processes. This paper presents a new approach to the definition of loads for use in performance design of vertical coastal structures subject to breaking wave impacts.     

OWC装置空气透平压降作用试验研究

空气透平的压降作用及由其带来的空气流速变化,是串联2次能量转换过程、实现两转换过程耦合的核心要素.试验主要是在物理模型的基础上,对带有冲击式透平的OWC装置能量转换影响因素进行研究.试验主要考察2次能量转换耦合作用下,气室内自由水面变换、气室内压强变化、输气管内空气流速变换及三者耦合与相互作用.     

Comparison between narrow-beam and conventional echo-soundings from the Mediterranean Ridge

Relatively narrow-beam and conventional deep-sea echograms from the Mediterranean Ridge are shown at the same horizontal and vertical scales. The narrow-beam profiles give a far more accurate delineation of the blocky relief of this tectonic feature.     

A Simple Method for Predicting Drag Characteristics of the Wells Turbine

1 .Introduction The Wells turbine ,consisting of several symmetric aerofoil blades ,fixedto a hub,can rotate inthe same direction without anyrectifyingflap valves .It has been consideredto bethe most prospectivewave energy conversion deviceforits simple s…     

集成于方箱防波堤的双气室振荡水柱波能装置转换效率研究

为实现建造、运行和维护等方面的资源共享,将振荡水柱(oscillating water column,简称OWC)波能转换装置与现有海工结构集成耦合,已成为目前海洋波浪能转换利用的热点问题。以集成于方箱防波堤的双气室OWC装置为研究对象,借助开源代码平台OpenFOAM和造/消波工具箱waves2Foam,采用流体体积法(VOF)捕捉自由面和6自由度(6DOF)动网格求解器模拟垂荡运动响应,对在不同规则波作用下,中墙相对宽度、中墙相对吃水对装置波能转换效率及水动力特性的影响进行数值研究。结果表明,较大的中墙相对宽度能够增强装置的波能转换效率(ξ_total(max)=73%)、降低结构物的相对垂荡位移并对装置前后气室内水柱的振荡幅度与压强变化产生影响;增加中墙相对吃水能显著提高气室在中高频波段波能提取效率(ξ_total(max)=78%),并显著拓宽气室的高效频率带宽(0.9≤ω²h/g≤2.2)。     

振荡水柱波能装置冲击式空气透平优化数值模拟研究

冲击式空气透平是振荡水柱式波能发电装置的二级能量转换装置,具有自启动性能好、在大流量系数区保持较高效率等优势,近年来应用越来越广泛.有学者提出在冲击式透平动叶片尖端安装环结构的设计,可以改善动叶片叶尖间隙处的气流流动形态,提高透平的工作性能.依托于此观点,构建了安装有环结构的冲击式透平的三维定常数值模型,并通过网格数量...     

往复流中双向导向叶冲动透平模型性能试验研究

研制了 30 0双向自调导叶透平试验机组 ,安装在 10 0 0活塞式往复流透平试验台上 ,对两种叶轮方案和 6种不同喷咀、扩压器进行了不同活塞行程、不同周期和不同恒定输出电压下性能试验。试验结果表明在喷咀出口角α1=2 1 5°、扩压器入口角α2 =6 5 5°和α1=2 4°、α2 =6 3°组合最佳 ,最高效率达 5 3 3% ,而且在宽广流量系数范围内 ,特别是大流量系数范围内都有较高效率。大大优于常用对称翼透平。将上下游导叶固定 ,变成双向固定导叶透平。用No 1叶轮和 6种导叶出口角组合进行试验。表明最佳导叶出口角为 2 4°～ 30°,最高效率仍达 38 5 % ,比对称翼透平仍高许多     

Numerical investigation on the performance of Wells turbine with non-uniform tip clearance for wave energy conversion

The performance of a Wells turbine with various non-uniform tip clearances was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The investigation was performed on numerical models of a NACA0020 blade profile under steady flow conditions. The performance of turbines with uniform and non-uniform tip clearances was compared. The results were also compared with experimental results in literature. It was shown that the performance of turbine with non-uniform tip clearance is similar with that of turbine with uniform one in terms of torque coefficient, input power coefficient, and efficiency. However, the turbine with non-uniform tip clearance seems to have a preferable overall performance. An investigation on the flow-field around the turbine blade was performed in order to explain the phenomena.     

Wells turbine with end plates for wave energy conversion

In order to improve the performance of the Wells turbine for wave energy conversion, the effect of end plate on the turbine characteristics has been investigated experimentally by model testing. As a result, it is found that the characteristics of the Wells turbine with end plates are superior to those of the original Wells turbine, i.e., the turbine without end plate and the characteristics are dependent on the size and position of end plate. Furthermore, by using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD), reason of the performance improvement of the turbine has been clarified and the effectiveness of the end plate has been demonstrated.     

Self-Starting Analysis of an OWC Axial Impulse Turbine in Constant Flows: Experimental and Numerical Studies

In recent times, self-rectifying axial-flow air turbines are being widely employed in oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converters (WEC). The steady performance of air turbines has been systematically investigated in previous studies. However, there still exists a lack of information on their unsteady performance, such as in the self-starting characteristics and subsequent running behavior. In this study, the unsteady behavior of impulse turbine under various constant-flow conditions is investigated. Experimental studies were conducted to investigate the effects of constant-load on the variations in the rotation speed, the pressure drop and the torque output of the turbine starting from rest. A fully passive flow-driving numerical model is employed for further detailed analysis of the flow and pressure fields. Followed by a well-agreed validation using the corresponding experimental data, the three dimensional (3D) transient model is used to study the effects of the air-flow velocity magnitude and the rotors’ moment of inertia on the self-starting performance of the turbine. Except for the variations in the rotation speed, the pressure drop and the pneumatic torque, the distributions of the flow-field and the pressure over the blades at specific time-points are analyzed.