Design Optimization of a Cross-Flow Air Turbine for an Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter

A cross-flow air turbine, which is a self-rectifying, air-driven was designed and proposed for the power take-off (PTO) system of an oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter (WEC). To predict complicated non-linear behavior turbine in OWC, numerical experimental investigations were accomplished. The geometries nozzle rotor optimized under steady-flow conditions, performance analysis model bi-directional flows conducted by commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code ANSYS CFX. Experimentation on full-scale then undertaken cylindrical-type simulator that generated reciprocating flows, to validate model. had peak cycle-averaged efficiency 0.611, 1.7% larger than reference model, significantly improved band width with increase flow coefficients. Under reciprocating-flow more operating range high compared derived from analysis, but decreased 4.3%. well matched results averaged difference 3.5%. optimal design having structural simplicity can be good option efficiently generate electricity.