Power capture performance of an oscillating-body WEC with nonlinear snap through PTO systems in irregular waves

Compared with solar and wind energy, wave energy is a kind of renewable resource which is enormous and still under development. In order to utilize the wave energy, various types of wave energy converters (WECs) have been proposed and studied. And oscillating-body WEC is widely used for offshore deployment. For this type of WEC, the oscillating motion of the floater is converted into electricity by the power take off (PTO) system, which is usually mathematically simplified as a linear spring and a damper. The linear PTO system is characteristic of frequency-dependent response and the energy absorption is less powerful for off resonance conditions. Thus a nonlinear snap through PTO system consisting of two symmetrically oblique springs and a linear damper is applied. A nonlinear parameter γ is defined as the ratio of half of the horizontal distance between the two oblique springs to the original length of both springs. JONSWAP spectrum is utilized to generate the time series of irregular waves. Time domain method is used to establish the motion equation of the oscillating-body WEC in irregular waves. And state space model is applied to replace the convolution term in the time domain motion equation. Based on the established motion equation, the motion response of both the linear and nonlinear WEC is numerically calculated using 4th Runge–Kutta method, after which the captured power can be obtained. Then the influences of wave parameters such as peak frequency, significant wave height, damping coefficient of the PTO system and the nonlinear parameter γ on the power capture performance of the nonlinear WEC is discussed in detail. Results show that compared with linear PTO system, the nonlinear snap through PTO system can increase the power captured by the oscillating body WEC in irregular waves.     

Environment and Deep-Sea Mining: A Perspective

Abstract

As the quest for deep-sea mineral resources is gaining momentum, environment and ocean mining have become important aspects of study. Because many of these deposits occur in international waters, the concern for environmental conservation in view of the effects of deep-sea mining is resulting in these effects being studied in different oceans, and efforts to develop regulations governing this exploitation are also underway at national and international levels. The impact assessment of deep-sea mining needs to encompass a variety of subjects, including environmental, socioeconomic, technological, and legal aspects. At the same time, effects of in situ environmental conditions on mining activities also need to be considered for effecient performance by the mining system. Differences in the degree of impact have been noticed during the mining simulation experiments by different investigating agencies. Therefore, interparameter comparisons, standardization of methods, and improvement in mining design are important considerations for proper utilization of resources, conservation of environment, and cost efficiency of the mining operations.     

静水压力取样器冲击头冲击速度的理论与试验研究

介绍了一种用于海底沉积物取样的静水压力取样器,它能依次利用重力势能和静水压力能,将其转换为冲击动能,以冲击形式将取样管插入海底沉积物进行取样。结合既定取样器对其冲击头的冲击速度进行了理论推导,并提出相关经验公式。通过取样器冲击试验,验证了静水压力取样器冲击头冲击速度理论模型的正确性和合理性。在理论推导和实验验证的基础上,对影响取样器冲击头冲击速度三个主要因素进行了探讨,并提出了提高冲击头冲击速度的具体措施。     

工程海域波浪特征分析方法比较

通过选取两个典型海外工程项目案例,分别采用波浪特征参数法和波浪谱法对工程海域波浪条件进行分析,并比较这两种方法在作业波浪条件、波浪特征认知程度上的差异,以及对海港水域平面布置产生的影响。对于波浪能量在频域及方向上存在多峰谱情况的海域,基于全谱的波浪特征参数系列数据有可能出现以下两种情况:1)主峰波向掩盖次峰波向;2)主峰波向错配次峰周期。对于上述两种情况,若仅采用波浪特征参数法对工程海域作业波浪条件进行分析,并指导海港水域平面布置,则极可能忽略或误判个别敏感波向、关键频域段的部分波浪能量,从而误导设计,为后续项目运营埋下隐患。对于以上情形,宜采用波浪谱法深入分析工程海域波浪能量在整个频域及各个方向上的详细分布及构成,并对关键波向、关键频域段的波浪能量进行量化,评估其对海港水域平面布置的影响,从而最大程度地避免由于波浪输入条件误判带来的风险。     

Improvement in the calculation of anti-Stokes energy transfer and experimental justification based on Er0.01YbxY1 - 0.01 - xVO4 crystal

The improvement on the calculation of anti-Stokes energy transfer rate is studied in the present work. The additional proportion coefficient between Stokes and anti-Stokes light intensities of quantum Raman scattering theory as compared with the classical Raman theory is introduced to successfully describe the anti-Stokes energy transfer. The theoretical formula for the improvement on the calculation of anti-Stokes energy transfer rate is derived for the first time in this study. The correctness of introducing coefficient exp{ΔE / kT} from well-known Raman scatter theory is demonstrated also. Moreover, the experimental lifetime measurement in Er_0.01Yb_xY_{1 - 0.01 - x}VO₄ crystal is performed to justify the validity of our important improvement in the original phonon-assisted energy transfer theory for the first time.     

Optical properties and surface energy flux of spring fast ice in the Arctic

Over the past decades, sea ice in the polar regions has been significantly affecting local and even hemispheric climate through a positive ice albedo feedback mechanism. The role of fast ice, as opposed to drift ice, has not been well-studied due to its relatively small coverage over the earth. In this paper, the optical properties and surface energy balance of land fast ice in spring are studied using in situ observations in Barrow, Alaska. The results show that the albedo of the fast ice varied between 0.57 and 0.85 while the transmittance increased from 1.3×10?3 to 4.1×10?3 during the observation period. Snowfall and air temperature affected the albedo and absorbance of sea ice, but the transmittance had no obvious relationship with precipitation or snow cover. Net solar shortwave radiation contributes to the surface energy balance with a positive 99.2% of the incident flux, with sensible heat flux for the remaining 0.8%. Meanwhile, the ice surface loses energy through the net longwave radiation by 18.7% of the total emission, while the latent heat flux accounts for only 0.1%. Heat conduction is also an important factor in the overall energy budget of sea ice, contributing 81.2% of the energy loss. Results of the radiative transfer model reveal that the spectral transmittance of the fast ice is determined by the thickness of snow and sea ice as well as the amount of inclusions. As major inclusions, the ice biota and particulates have a significant influence on the magnitude and distribution of the spectral transmittance. Based on the radiative transfer model, concentrations of chlorophyll and particulate in the fast ice are estimated at 5.51 mg/m2 and 95.79 g/m2, which are typical values in the spring in Barrow.     

Seasonal Changes in the Biochemical Composition of the Edible Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus Echinodermata: Echinoidea in a Lagoonal Environment

Abstract. Monthly soluble and insoluble protein, carbohydrate, lipid and ash levels and energetic content were measured in tissues of Paracentrotus lividus adults living in a lagoonal environment over a 1-year period to increase our understanding of resource allocation to the different tissues. The biochemical composition of P. lividus individuals in this environment is similar to that observed in other environments. The gonad and gut contained a high level of proteins soluble or insoluble, a lesser amount of lipids and, finally, a low level of carbohydrates. The main component of the test was ash, followed by protein levels. The lipid and carbohydrate levels in the test were very low. Seasonal variability in the biochemical composition of the different body parts was observed. In the gonad, an increase in the level of lipids was recorded concomitant to an increase in gonad weight. The lipids and carbohydrates, after an initial increase, decreased with the maturation of the gonad. The biochemical variations observed in the gut seem to be linked to both the reproductive cycle and the sea urchin's trophic activity. Variability in the test was low and irregular for all of the observed biochemical components. As P. lividus is an important member of the benthic community in the Urbinu lagoon, this echinoid represents an important store of materials and energy within this lagoonal environment.     

Adhesion of foulings on surface energy of silicone rubber coatings

INTRODUCTIONBiologicalfoulingonthehullsofshipsandothersubmergedmarinestructurescausesgreatha~s.Inadditiontodecreasingship'sspeed,andincreasingitsfuelconsumption,biologicalfoulingalsoincreasestheweightofnavigationalbuoys,interfereswithoperatingequipmentandsounddevices,clogsseawaterpipingsystems,adverselyaffectsheat-exchangerperformance,andpromotescorrosionofmetalsurface(HuangandCat,1984).UPtothepresent,antifoulingpaintshaveachievedtheireffectivenessbyreleasingattheirsurfacebiocides,allcom…     

Interannual variability in the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda,Majidae)

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is an important commercial species in Europe and supports intensive fisheries in the NE Atlantic. A field survey was performed to assess long‐term and consecutive interannual (2005–2010) variation of the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of M. brachydactyla. Larval biochemical profiles differed significantly among years, with pronounced differences being recorded in 2010. Differences among batches of newly hatched larvae were mainly explained by the contribution of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser degree, by protein and lipid content. The use of different nutrition indices is discussed. The biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae from M. brachydactyla was highly variable, even though surveyed broodstock was obtained from the same local population and was always sampled during the same season. The unpredictable biochemical profiles of newly hatched larvae may condition their survival and recruitment. This largely overlooked aspect of larval variability should be considered in future fisheries management strategies and captive production of marine organisms that still rely on wild seeds.