Numerical Model of Constrained Wave Energy Hyperbaric Converter under Full-Scale Sea Wave Conditions

A 2D numerical investigation of the power absorption of a constrained wave energy hyperbaric converter (WEHC) under full-scale sea wave conditions is presented. A fully non-linear numerical model DualSPHysics, based on the coupling of a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) fluid solver with a multibody dynamics solver, is used to model the interaction between wave and WEHC sub-systems. The numerical model was first validated against experimental data for a similar device, with a good accordance between PTO position and velocity. The model is then employed to study the hydrodynamics of a constrained WEHC considering several sea states, different hydraulic power take-off (PTO) damping and breakwater geometries. It is observed that the capture width ratio (CWR) is particularly sensitive to variations in the PTO damping, although the CWR absolute maximum is less sensitive considering mild variations applied to the PTO damping. Both wave height and wave period have an important effect on the CWR. The breakwater geometry is also essential for the performance of the WEHC, with a decrease in maximum CWR of about 15% for porous breakwater. These results are necessary to understand the full-scale behaviour of WEHC.