Effect of Front Wall Geometry and Orifice Shape of Oscillating Water Column Device: Numerical investigation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38032/scse.2025.3.145Keywords:
Wave Energy Converter, Oscillating Water Column Device, Numerical Wave Tank, Front Wall GeometryAbstract
This research investigates the performance of oscillating water column (OWC) devices in wave energy conversion system, emphasizing the influence of front wall geometry and orifice shape. As OWC systems are promising renewable energy technologies, optimizing their design can lead to significant gains in efficiency. This study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to systematically explore various configurations of front wall shapes and orifice geometries, aiming to understand their effects on the air-water interactions within the OWC chamber. The core objectives include analyzing pressure distributions, examining flow dynamics, and evaluating energy conversion efficiency across multiple design parameters and operational conditions. The numerical simulations yield valuable insights into OWC performance. Results show that a rounded front wall lip enhances efficiency by 15.3% compared to conventional designs, while a triangular lip shape results in a 10.1% decrease in performance. In terms of orifice configurations, the converging orifice demonstrates a 1.9% efficiency improvement over the standard shape, whereas a diverging orifice reduces efficiency dramatically by 60.36%. These findings highlight the critical impact of structural design on the effectiveness of OWC devices in converting wave energy into usable power. Employing advanced CFD techniques and validating results with experimental data, this study provides practical recommendations for optimizing OWC systems. By illuminating the nuanced relationships between front wall and orifice designs and their performance outcomes, the research contributes to an improved understanding of OWC dynamics. The results underscore the importance of geometry and design choices in OWC technology, offering meaningful insights that can guide the development of more efficient and sustainable wave energy solutions. Ultimately, this study supports the advancement of renewable energy systems as a pathway to a cleaner, sustainable energy future.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ayaz Al Abrar, Abdullah Al-Faruk, Muhammad Sazid Shahriar (Author)
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