Nonlinear hydrodynamic analysis of an offshore oscillating water column wave energy converter

The hydrodynamic performance of a floating cylindrical oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter is investigated experimentally and numerically. physical experiment carried out in flume at Dalian University Technology. OWC device constrained by springs only moves vertically. A second-order time-domain Higher-Order Boundary Element Method, based on the perturbation expansion technique, used to simulate nonlinear interaction with device. terms concerning pneumatic viscous damping are introduced free surface boundary conditions inside chamber. chamber elevation air pressure, efficiency, vertical displacement examined detail. Good agreements obtained between experimental data numerical results. Then, effects opening ratio, steepness, mooring stiffness draft then investigated. It found that optimal ratio 0.02 0.03. plays an important role response efficiency effective frequency bandwidth increase stiffness.