Abstract
Oscillating water column (OWC) systems are commonly used as wave energy converters. Such a system consists of an air chamber with a seawater inlet and an air discharger. If seawater moves as a result of the vertical motion of external waves, then the seawater within the OWC moves as well. This movement within the system generates air pressure, which produces power with which to turn the Wells turbine in the air discharge port. OWC systems must be designed in consideration of vibration because waves possess basic oscillation properties. In this research, the efficiency characteristics of OWC systems combined with breakwaters are studied by applying a vibration model. Factors affecting the energy conversion rate of OWC include the volume of air in the air chamber, pressure, and wave period. In this study, changes in the energy absorption efficiency of OWC are measured according to the area ratio between the air discharger and the air chamber, as well as on the basis of air chamber length. Simulations are performed with varying design parameters, such as internal wave, air pressure, and energy, according to changes in external waves. In addition, wave period properties are modified according to the surroundings of the sea in which the OWC system is installed. Variations in these period properties affect energy conversion efficiency. Therefore, changes in energy absorption efficiency due to the wave period are simulated in this study to design an OWC system with high absorption efficiency in view of the characteristic of wave periods in Korea.
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Recommended by Associate Editor Tong Seop Kim
Jin Seok Oh received his B.E. in Marine Engineering from Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Pusan, Korea, in 1983. He obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electric Control Engineering from Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Pusan, Korea, in 1989 and 1996, respectively. He obtained another Ph.D. degree in Design of Energy from Kyushu University, Kyushu, Japan, in 2009. From 2001 to 2006, he was employed as an energy and automation consultant in U.K. K.O. Tech. He has worked as a professor since 1996. His current research interests include ocean plants, renewable energy, and design of energy.
Jae Hee Jang received her B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Kumoh National Institute of Technology in 2013. She is pursuing her Master's degree in the Department of Marine Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University.
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Oh, Js., Jang, Jh. OWC design to increase wave energy absorption efficiency in wave conversion systems. J Mech Sci Technol 29, 2987–2993 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0629-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0629-5