Work

Bionic Raft Design and Performance Investigation of a Two-Raft Wave Energy Converter

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This paper proposes a two-raft wave energy conversion technology with bionic rafts, aiming to enhance the wave energy capture performance of existing devices with regularly shaped rafts. The cross-sectional shape of the bionic raft is designed as a nested pattern of the long and short axes of two semi-ellipses, which is inspired by the cross-sectional shape of the flat shark. Based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the wave energy converter (WEC) with the bionic raft in waves, it is verified that the designed bionic raft positively enhances the wave excitation force acting on the raft and the wave power capture factor of the power take-off (PTO) system. Taking the maximum wave energy capture factor as the optimization objective, the optimal geometric parameters of the bionic raft are calculated and determined by numerical simulation. Subsequently, the effects of wave period, raft draught, and the linear viscous damping coefficient of the PTO system on the wave excitation force, raft motion, and wave energy capture factor are investigated in the frequency domain. Furthermore, the dimensionless optimal values of the aforementioned influencing factors are presented and discussed as the wave energy capture factors of the WECs reach their maximum values. This work provides a new design idea for the development and optimization of multi-raft WECs.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse12122114

Authors: Biao Li, Xianku Zhang, Taimin Liu, Hamse Saed Adan

Institutions: Quanzhou Normal University, Dalian Maritime University, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Wave and Wind Energy Systems

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955