The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

A numerical and experimental study of a multi-cell fabric distensible wave energy converter

A numerical and experimental study of a multi-cell fabric distensible wave energy converter
A numerical and experimental study of a multi-cell fabric distensible wave energy converter
The Fabriconda wave energy converter is a submerged tube lying perpendicular to incoming wave fronts. The tube consists of a series of smaller fabric tubes, called cells, joined together longitudinally to form a larger central tube. The cells and central tube are flooded with water. Cross-sectional area changes with pressure due to the cells changing shape. The Fabriconda is therefore distensible, enabling it to extract energy from external waves. Waves induce a series of travelling bulges, and an internal oscillatory flow, in both the central tube and cells. If the speed of these bulges is close to the phase speed of the external wave, energy is progressively transferred to this flow. A power take-off system terminates the tube at the stern. A 1D mathematical model has been developed to predict the power captured by the Fabriconda, based on the application of the conservation of momentum and mass to the flow in both the central tube and cells. An analytical solution of this model has been found using an assumption of harmonic behaviour. A time-stepping finite difference solution was also derived and found to agree with the analytical solution. The results from these models have been compared with measurements. The cross sectional shape of the Fabriconda depends on the ratio between cell and central tube pressure, while the free bulge speed is dependent on the sum of the central tube and cell distensibilities. Both findings were supported by measurements. Measurements found that power generally peaked closer to the resonance frequency than predicted and was dependent on initial pressure. The effect of tube length on the frequency dependency of power capture and the presence of secondary peaks led to the conclusion that normal mode effects are significant to the Fabriconda's performance. This work has determined the operating principles of the Fabriconda and demonstrated that it can extract energy from waves. Predictions of full scale performance and commercial viability are not considered.
Hann, M.R.
66a34477-d9ea-44c1-93aa-0f3c622fcc57
Hann, M.R.
66a34477-d9ea-44c1-93aa-0f3c622fcc57
Chaplin, J.R.
d5ed2ba9-df16-4a19-ab9d-32da7883309f

Hann, M.R. (2013) A numerical and experimental study of a multi-cell fabric distensible wave energy converter. University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, Doctoral Thesis, 261pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The Fabriconda wave energy converter is a submerged tube lying perpendicular to incoming wave fronts. The tube consists of a series of smaller fabric tubes, called cells, joined together longitudinally to form a larger central tube. The cells and central tube are flooded with water. Cross-sectional area changes with pressure due to the cells changing shape. The Fabriconda is therefore distensible, enabling it to extract energy from external waves. Waves induce a series of travelling bulges, and an internal oscillatory flow, in both the central tube and cells. If the speed of these bulges is close to the phase speed of the external wave, energy is progressively transferred to this flow. A power take-off system terminates the tube at the stern. A 1D mathematical model has been developed to predict the power captured by the Fabriconda, based on the application of the conservation of momentum and mass to the flow in both the central tube and cells. An analytical solution of this model has been found using an assumption of harmonic behaviour. A time-stepping finite difference solution was also derived and found to agree with the analytical solution. The results from these models have been compared with measurements. The cross sectional shape of the Fabriconda depends on the ratio between cell and central tube pressure, while the free bulge speed is dependent on the sum of the central tube and cell distensibilities. Both findings were supported by measurements. Measurements found that power generally peaked closer to the resonance frequency than predicted and was dependent on initial pressure. The effect of tube length on the frequency dependency of power capture and the presence of secondary peaks led to the conclusion that normal mode effects are significant to the Fabriconda's performance. This work has determined the operating principles of the Fabriconda and demonstrated that it can extract energy from waves. Predictions of full scale performance and commercial viability are not considered.

Text
A numerical and experimental study of a multi-cell fabric distensible wave energy converter.pdf - Other
Download (23MB)

More information

Published date: 1 June 2013
Organisations: University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 355974
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/355974
PURE UUID: 4d9985ff-cc24-4731-833f-b47c07a51579
ORCID for J.R. Chaplin: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-2814-747X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 19 Nov 2013 11:58
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:04

Export record

Contributors

Author: M.R. Hann
Thesis advisor: J.R. Chaplin ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×