1. Orientation of Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters Haylee Reyna   Texas A&M University Kingsville 600 East Santa Gertrudis Kingsville, TX, 78363, United States of America
Abstract
The Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB) and Forward Facing Duct Buoy (FFDB) are orientations of wave energy converters (WEC) classified as Oscillating Water Columns (OWC). A small-scale CAD model was produced to quantify the difference in power generation through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. It was verified that the power generation of the BBDB was greater. The structural integrity of the OWC was then analyzed through Fluid Structural Interaction (FSI) simulations to confirm design can withstand the loads acting on it from the sea waves.
1. Introduction
A large amount of literature has described that when the orientation of the floating OWC is backward facing to the sea wave direction, it will harvest more energy than when it is forward facing to the sea wave direction. However, most of these studies have failed to quantify the exact difference in the energy harvested by these two different orientations.
2. Methodology
Wave data was collected from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); three buoys in the Gulf of Mexico were chosen to be analyzed. The wave data was collected hourly for the entire year of Created an OWC model in ANSYS without the turbine. CFD simulations were used to calculate average annual energy generated by both the BBDB and FFDB at all three locations. Days of extreme and varied wave conditions were used for FSI simulations.
3. Conclusions
Energy generation in the BBDB was not significantly greater than the FFDB, so there’s no need to design a device to keep the OWC backward to the waves at all times, though placing it in a direction backwards to most waves in the area is good. The structure was not under too much stress; it concentrated where the mooring loop met with the structure. This stress concentration area can be prevented by thickening the part and smoothing out sharp edges to avoid failure.
Fig. 1: BBDB (left) and FFDB (right)
Fig. 2: Map of Buoys in the Gulf
Fig. 4 Stress Concentration Areas
Fig. 3: Average Power Output
Fig. 5: Maximum Stress
Fig. 6: Maximum Stress
Fig. 7: Maximum Stress
Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Conference The University of Texas at Austin
April 4-6, 2018