| dc.description.abstract | Oscillating Water Column (OWC),
ocean wave energy converter, transforms the
energy of ocean waves into low pressure
pneumatic power. This pneumatic power is
extracted by a turbine and converted to electric
energy through a generator. Australian Maritime
College (AMC) has set up a vent test rig to conduct
experiments on ‘OWC’ operation, quantify air
leakage, and find differential pressures across
the orifice plate as per the Australian standard of
fan performances. However, the upstream and
downstream of duct lengths of vent test rig did
not match the given specified standards due
space restriction. Therefore, the technical team of
AMC chose Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD)
application as an alternative method to continue
the investigation with economy of effort.
Subsequently, it is understood that, CFD is a very
attractive method to carry out investigations and
obtain a detailed report with all tested
parameters and conditions. In addition, it is
revealed that the shape of the flow pattern which
cannot be seen during the experimental study.
The objective of this investigation was to apply
CFD instead of vent test rig experiment and carry
out modelling, and then compare the outcomes
with experimental results. Further, CFD
application was used to test differential pressure
across the orifice plate with the same upstream
and downstream lengths of pipe, which were
utilized during the vent test rig experiment. In
addition, CFD was applied again for specified
lengths of pipe with the same orifice plate to
measure the differential pressure across it.
Finally, it was proven that specified duct lengths
directly impacted the performance of the vent
test rig and decreasing of the generating pressure
along with the length of the pipe due to relative
roughness. | |
