Turbine-chamber interactions analysis in an OWC device for wave energy conversion

This paper deals with a numerical simulation devoted to the study of an oscillating water column (OWC)-device considering the effects of the interactions turbine-chamber on its power output in case of monochromatic sinusoidal excitations. To do so, the turbine characteristic has been simulated by inserting a circular orifice plate with various diameter reductions (20%; 45%; and 80%). The flow inside the chamber is assumed to be biphasic (air-water), three-dimensional (3D), viscous, unsteady, and turbulent. Numerical simulations have been performed for flow description by means of Fluent code. Results from simulation indicate that the coupling between the chamber and the turbine has a significant impact on the performances of the OWC-device.