2D Computational Analysis of Overtopping Wave Energy Convertor

J. Ocean Eng. Technol. 2009;23(6):1-6.

Liu Zhen,Hyun Beom-Soo,Jin Ji-Yuan

Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering Ocean University of China,College of Ocean Science and Technology Korea Maritime University,College of Ocean Science and Technology Korea Maritime University

Keywords: Wave energy, Overtopping wave energy convertor, Numerical wave tank, Overtopping discharge

Abstract

An Overtopping Wave Energy Convertor (OWEC) is an offshore wave energy convertor used for collecting overtopping waves and converting the water pressure head into electric power through hydro turbines installed in a vertical duct affixed to the sea bed. A numerical wave tank based on the commercial computational fluid dynamics code Fluent is established for the corresponding analysis. The Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equation and two-phase VOF model are utilized to generate the 2D numerical linear propagating waves, which are validated by the overtopping experiment results. Calculations are made for several incident wave conditions and shape parameters for the overtopping device. Both the incident wave periods and heights have evident effects on the overtopping performance of the OWEC device. The computational analysis demonstrates that the present overtopping device is more compatible with longer incident wave periods.