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Viscosity effect on a point absorber wave energy converter hydrodynamics validated by simulation and experiment

Siya, Jin; Patton, Ron J.; Guo, Bingyong

Authors

Jin Siya

Profile image of Ron Patton

Professor Ron Patton R.J.Patton@hull.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor of Control and Intelligent Systems Engineering

Bingyong Guo



Abstract

To achieve optimal power in a wave energy conversion (WEC) system it is necessary to understand the device hydrodynamics. To maximize conversion efficiency the goal is to tune the WEC performance into resonance. The main challenge then to be overcome is the degree to which non-linearity in WEC hydrodynamics should be represented. Although many studies use linear models to describe WEC hydrodynamics, this paper aims to show that the non-linear viscosity should be carefully involved. To achieve this an investigation into the hydrodynamics of a designed 1/50 scale point absorber wave energy converter (PAWEC) in heave motion only is implemented to indicate the non-linear viscosity effect. A non-linear state-space model (NSSM) considering a quadratic viscous term is used to simulate PAWEC behaviors. The non-linear model is compared with the linear counterpart, and validated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental data. A conclusion is drawn that the non-linear PAWEC hydrodynamics (including amplitude and phase responses, conversion efficiency) close to resonance or at high wave heights can only be described realistically when the non-linear viscosity is correctly taken into account. Inaccuracies in its representation lead to significant errors in the tuning procedure which over-predict the dynamic responses and weaken the control system performance.

Citation

Siya, J., Patton, R. J., & Guo, B. (2018). Viscosity effect on a point absorber wave energy converter hydrodynamics validated by simulation and experiment. Renewable energy, 129(A), 500-512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.06.006

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 2, 2018
Online Publication Date Jun 6, 2018
Publication Date 2018-12
Deposit Date Feb 26, 2020
Publicly Available Date Feb 27, 2020
Journal Renewable Energy
Print ISSN 0960-1481
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 129
Issue A
Pages 500-512
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.06.006
Keywords Wave energy conversion; Viscosity influence; State-space model; Three-dimensional CFD; Physical experiment
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3446532
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148118306360?via%3Dihub

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