Abstract:
Performance of a novel dual-chamber Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converter device, composed of two separated chambers, with independent entrance and a Wells turbine, is analyzed for incident regular waves. The study is carried out using the ANSYS-FLUENT® software based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and Volume of Fluid method for free surface flow. The performance analysis of the novel dual-chamber OWC device shows around 13% higher efficiency than the standard dual-chamber device, without separation of the two chambers and common entrance, and 38% higher efficiency than the single chamber OWC device at intermediate and long wave periods.