A RANS-based Numerical Model to Simulate Overtopping-type Wave Energy Converters Integrated into Breakwaters

Abstract

This study aims to validate a numerical model based on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations to simulate the wave-interaction between regular incident waves and the overtopping-type wave energy converter. The ANSYS-FLUENT® numerical model, by using the volume of fluid method to deal with free surface flow, is employed. Results of the overtopping device with two reservoirs in small scale are compared with experiments. The methodology, which includes the use of a hybrid k-ω shear stress transport turbulence/laminar model, achieves good results, especially considering the difficulties of numerical models to reproduce overtopping because of the complexity of involved phenomena.