Study on the Optimal Wave Energy Absorption Power of a Float in Waves

Abstract

The utilization of ocean renewable energy, especially wave energy, is of great significance in ocean engineering. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical wave tank was established to simulate the wave-float interaction based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and the Realizable K-Epsilon Two-Layer turbulence model was applied. Firstly, convergence studies with respect to the mesh and time step were carried out and confirmed by the published analytical and numerical data. Then, the resonance condition of a particular float was solved by both numerical and analytical methods. The numerical and the analytical results are mutually verified in good agreements, which verify the reliability of the analytical process. Furthermore, a wave energy converter (WEC) consisting of a single float without damping constant was adopted, and its hydrodynamic performance in different wave conditions was investigated. It was found that the damping factor can affect the motion response of the float and the wave force it receives. Under a certain wavelength condition, the WEC resonates with the wave, at which the wave force on the float, displacement of the float and other parameters reach a maximum value. Finally, the influence of linear damping constant on the power take-off (PTO) was studied. The results show that the damping factor does not affect the wave number turning point of the optimal damping constant.