Numerical Modeling on Hydrodynamic Performance of A Bottom-Hinged Flap Wave Energy Converter

• Published in: China ocean engineering Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 73 - 86
• Main Author: 赵海涛 孙志林 郝春玲 沈家法
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Chinese Ocean Engineering Society 01.03.2013; College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; The Second Institute of Oceanography of the State of Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou 310058, China%College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China%The Second Institute of Oceanography of the State of Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou 310058, China
• Subjects: Coastal Sciences; Coefficients; Density; Devices; Engineering; Exact solutions; Flaps; Fluid- and Aerodynamics; Marine; Marine & Freshwater Sciences; Mathematical models; Numerical and Computational Physics; Oceanography; Offshore Engineering; Optimization; Sea states; Simulation; 底部; 数值模拟; 水动力性能; 波能; 皮瓣; 解析表达式; 转换器; 铰链; short wave sea states; optimum damping coefficient; bottom-hinged flap; optimum density; hydrodynamic performance
• ISSN: 0890-5487; 2191-8945
• DOI: 10.1007/s13344-013-0007-y

The hydrodynamic performance of a bottom-hinged flap wave energy converter （WEC） is investigated through a frequency domain numerical model. The numerical model is verified through a two-dimensional analytic solution, as well as the qualitative analysis on the dynamic response of avibrating system. The concept of ＂optimum density＂ of the bottom-hinged flap is proposed, and its analytic expression is derived as well. The frequency interval in which the optimum density exists is also obtained. The analytic expression of the optimum linear damping coefficient is obtained by a bottom-hinged WEC. Some basic dynamic properties involving natural period, excitation moment, pitch amplitude, and optimum damping coefficient are analyzed and discussed in detail. In addition, this paper highlights the analysis of effects on the conversion performance of the device exerted by some important parameters. The results indicate that ＂the optimum linear damping period of 5.0 s＂ is the most ideal option in the short wave sea states with the wave period below 6.0 s. Shallow water depth, large flap thickness and low flap density are advised in the practical design of the device in short wave sea states in order to maximize power capture. In the sea state with water depth of 5.0 m and wave period of 5.0 s, the results of parametric optimization suggest a flap with the width of 8.0 m, thickness of 1.6 m, and with the density as little as possible when the optimum power take-off （PTO） damping coefficient is adopted.