Numerical simulation of a simple OWC problem for turbine performance. (December 2017) - Moñino, A.
Highlights: The purpose of this paper is to simulate with reliability the linear performance of an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) in terms of pressure drop air flow through the implementation of an Actuator Disk Model (ADM) in Fluent®. The performance of a Wells turbine tested in laboratory is simulated with the ADM. Linearity between pressure drop and air flow through the ADM is achieved for all sets of wave tests. Modelling the linear performance of the OWC turbine is the first step for the full simulation of the device. Abstract: Air turbines are commonly used in Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices for wave energy conversion. The purpose of this paper is to simulate the performance of an OWC turbine through the implementation of an Actuator Disk Model (ADM) in Fluent®. A set of different regular wave tests are developed in a 2D numerical wave flume. The model is tested using the information analysed from experimental tests on a Wells type turbine, carried out in wind tunnel. Linear response is achieved in terms of pressure drop and air flow in all cases, proving effectively the actuator disk model applicability to OWC devices.