Research and Simulation Analysis on a Novel U-Tube Type Dual-Chamber Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Conversion Device

Shaohui Yang, Haijian Li, Yan Huang (), Jianyu Fan, Zhichang Du, Yongqiang Tu, Chenglong Li and Beichen Lin
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Shaohui Yang: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Haijian Li: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Yan Huang: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Jianyu Fan: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Zhichang Du: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Yongqiang Tu: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Chenglong Li: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Beichen Lin: College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-15

Abstract: With the development of wave energy, a promising renewable resource, oscillating water column (OWC) devices, has been extensively studied for its potential in harnessing this energy. However, traditional OWC devices face challenges such as corrosion and damage from prolonged exposure to harsh marine environments, limiting their long-term viability and efficiency. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel U-tube type dual chamber OWC wave energy conversion device integrated within a marine vehicle. The research involves the design of a U-tube dual-chamber OWC device, which utilizes the pitch motion of a marine vehicle to drive the oscillation of water columns within the U-tube, generating reciprocating airflow that drives an air turbine. Numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were conducted to analyze the effects of various structural dimensions, including device length, width, air chamber height, U-tube channel width, and bottom channel height, on the aerodynamic power output. The simulations considered real sea conditions, focusing on low-frequency waves prevalent in China’s sea areas. Simulation results reveal that increasing the device’s length and width substantially boosts aerodynamic power, while air chamber height and U-tube channel width have minor effects. These findings provide valuable insights into the optimal design of U-tube dual-chamber OWC devices for efficient wave energy conversion, laying the foundation for future physical prototype development and experimental validation.

Keywords: wave energy conversion (WEC); oscillating water column (OWC); U-tube type double air chamber; aerodynamic power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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