Performance of a Multibody Point Absorber with a Damper Plate in Irregular Waves
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Wave energy converters (WECs) behave differently when operating in irregular waves than regular ones. Although numerous studies describe WEC dynamics in regular waves, the ocean experiences irregular waves, making it essential to evaluate performance under such conditions. A multibody WEC has mixed motion, adding complexity to the system dynamics. In this study, a multibody floating-point absorber WEC equipped with a damper plate was designed and tested for irregular wave conditions in the wave basin at IIT Madras. The wave conditions varied, with significant wave heights ranging from 0.15 to 0.23 m and peak periods from 1 to 2.5 s. Hydrodynamic coefficients, such as the Response Amplitude Operator (RAO), excitation force, radiation damping, and added mass, were computed using the panel method. Additionally, a multibody dynamics solver was used to calculate power absorption. The point absorber, with a damper plate, achieved a maximum power output of 14.05 W at \(\:{H}_{s}\)= 0.23 m and \(\:{T}_{P}\:\)= 2.5 s. The highest absorption efficiency was 48.2% at \(\:{H}_{s}\)=0.20 m and \(\:{T}_{P}\)=2.5 s.
Authors: Suman Kumar, Vishnu Vijayasankar, Abdus Samad
Institutions: Indian Institute of Technology Madras, University of Michigan
Language: English
Topic: Wave and Wind Energy Systems
Subfield: Ocean Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7106620637