Numerical analysis of performance of an oscillating water column wave energy converter inserted into a composite breakwater with rubble mound foundation

Abstract

In this study, performance of an oscillating water column wave energy converter inserted into a hypothetical composite breakwater with rubble mound foundation located at the southern Brazilian coast is analyzed. The FLUENT® numerical model, which is based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, is used in 2D numerical simulations by adopting the Volume of Fluid method to consider the two-phase flow (water and air). The influence of the rubble mound foundation on the pneumatic power, the run-up/down, the free surface elevation inside the chamber, and the energy balance for different incident waves are investigated. The rubble mound foundation of the composite breakwater slightly affected hydrodynamics; however, it reduced significantly the pneumatic power of the device from 7 to 15% comparing with that obtained to a vertical breakwater founded on an impermeable foundation.