Applied Ocean Research 19 (1997) 61-72

8 1997 Elsevier Science Limited

All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain
PII: SOl41-1187(97)00008-4 0141-1187/97/$17.00
ELSEVIER

On the efficiency of wave energy caissons

in array
K. Thiruvenkatasamya9* & S. Neelamanib
aDepartment o[ Ocean Civil Engineering, Kagoshima University, l-21 -40, Korimoto, Kagoshima-shi 890, Japan
Ocean Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 600 036, India

(Received 26 August 1996; accepted 14 February 1997)

A detailed experimental investigation on the efficiency of the power absorption of

Multi-resonant Oscillating Water Column (MOWC) wave energy caissons in an array
is reported. Regular wave measurements were conducted on an 150 scale model of an
array of Multiresonant Oscillating Water Column (MOWC) type free standing wave
energy caissons using the images method. A range of hydrodynamic parameters, with
a different damping of Oscillating Water Column (OWC) chamber and various centre
to centre spacings (S) between the caissons in an array for a constant OWC width (b),
were used, i.e., experiments were conducted for different S/b ratios. It is found that,
hydrodynamic efficiency of MOWC for power absorption increases with increased S/b
value up to 3, beyond which it reduces. About 60% efficiency can be achieved with a
Sib ratio of 3 which is considered as optimum spacing. The efficiency decreases with
increase in wave steepness (H/L), due to a greater blow up period for higher HIL
values than for lower H/L values during which the pressure becomes atmospheric. The
percentage energy reflection decreases with increasing relative water depth. The
average energy reflection is found to be 30%. Further investigation is recommended in
order to enhance the efficiency considering the structure geometry as well as the
damping of the air chamber. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Limited

1 INTRODUCTION (RCC) caisson of size 23.2 m X 17.0 m in plan and 15.3 m

Globally, extraction of energy from ocean waves has
received considerable attention in the wake of increasing
demand for power. Several devices have been invented, of
which the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) is found to be
one of the promising ones. The OWC consists of a chamber
exposed to wave action through an opening in the front.
Under wave action, air inside the chamber gets compressed
and rarefied and energy from this bidirectional air flow is
absorbed using a Wells type uni-directional turbine. An
OWC system with two projecting parallel side walls called
a Multi-resonant OWC (MOWC) is known to be more effi-
cient in absorbing wave power.
Based on the MOWC principle, a 150 kW prototype wave
power plant has been installed off the South West Coast of
India near Trivandrum. It is a reinforced cement concrete
*Corresponding author: Formerly, Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 600 036, India.
height, which consists of a back wall, two side walls and a
lip wall (Fig. 1). A 3 m high dome on top of the caisson
covers the OWC chamber and supports the power module.
The average wave power potential of the Indian Coastline
is only 5-12 kW/m of coast length when compared to 20-
25 kW/m for countries in the northern hemisphere. Hence,
for India, wave energy devices for power production alone
will not be economical in the near future. A multi-functional
wave energy system is suitable. A combination of the wave
power converter and the caisson type breakwater is attrac-
tive because the construction cost for power generation can
be jointly shared with the following facilities:
1. Breakwater-cum-berthing facility.
2. Coastal protection against erosion.
3. Calm water basin for cage culture (Fig. 2).
Reliable estimation of wave forces, dynamic pressures
Centre, and the hydrodynamic efficiency of MOWC devices in an
array is essential for safe and economic design and
61
62 K. Thiruvenkatasamy
POWER ~NOULE
#UTTERFlY VALVE
All OII(EIlS(ONS ARE
Fig. 1. Cross sectional elevation of wave energy
(Vizhinjam, West Coast of India).
operation. The physics of the wave-structure interaction
phenomena for wave energy caissons is different from a
conventional type vertical wall structure. This is because,
the maximum forces on various components of the system
occur at different times over a wave cycle unlike the vertical
wall which claims critical structural design and operation.
2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Intensive Research and development has taken place in
recent years on the conversion of wave energy into electric
power. Reviews of much of this research are available in
Elliot [l], Shaw [2], Count et al. [3] and Carmichael and
Falnes [4].
The development of MOWC from OWC, introduced by
Ambli et al. [5], showed that the device is capable of absorb-
ing incident wave energy effectively for a wide band width
frequency which results in a more cost effective system.
Evans [6], Count [7], and Count and Evans [8], arrived at
theoretical solutions for MOWC devices which were related
and S. Neelamani
lf EWARO
BREAKWATER
, HARROUREMlRAIKf
MAR WUR RASIN
ii4 .m
hOAS LIME
Fig. 2. Concept of multipurpose barrier type wave energy system.
to hydrodynamic performance and parametric studies.
Hunter [9] showed that the efficiency of MOWC improved
if the length of the harbour walls matches an odd multiple of
a quarter wave length of the predominant incident wave
which is due to the formation of standing wave resonance
to enhance column excitation. Whenjie Zheng [lo] con-
ducted several experiments on the parametric optimization
of the prototype MOWC wave power device. This showed
caisson that the flared rather than the rectangular harbour can sig-
nificantly increase the wave energy extraction for a wide
range of wave period. Koola [ 1 l] carried out investigations
so as to arrive at the device dimensions for Indias first
150 kW wave energy prototype system.
Jayakumar [ 121 conducted laboratory investigations on a
MOWC to measure the dynamic pressures and wave forces.
Comparison of prototype measurements for dynamic pres-
sures implies that the wave induced pressures measured in
the laboratory compare reasonably well with the prototype
results. Also, it was observed that the inner face of the dome
was subjected to a maximum dynamic air pressure of six
times the static pressure due to the incident wave amplitude
under the closed condition of orifice opening area during
laboratory tests.
Takahashi [ 131 has described the development of a wave
power extracting caisson breakwater in Japan. The device
consists of an air chamber, attached to an ordinary caisson.
A vertical wall with slits is provided in order to transmit
wave energy into the chamber. It has a sloped upper portion
which reduces the horizontal component of wave force and
increases the stability of the caisson. The dynamic pressures
measured inside the OWC chamber and on the sloping walls
are found to compare well with the theory of Goda 1141. It
 On the eficiency of wave energy caissons in array
is reported that the efficiency of wave power extraction
from irregular waves is greater than from regular waves
having a period the same as the significant wave period of
the irregular wave, when the wave period is relatively long.
Malmo and Reitan [ 15-171 theoretically studied the
hydrodynamic performance behavior of a MOWC in a
channel using linear wave theory for different boundary
conditions in the regions between absorber and channel
wall. It is confirmed that MOWCs in an array were more
efficient than in isolation. McIver and Evans [ 181 developed
an approximate theory for OWCs set into a reflecting wall.
Optimum spacing of the devices was predicted by exploiting
the relationship between this approximate theory and the
point absorber theory of Evans [19]. Clear advantages in
building the devices together rather than keeping them in
isolation were reported.
Whittaker and Stewart [20] have done experimental stu-
dies on the efficiency of OWC in a fully reflecting coastline
and concluded that the maximum power output can increase
by a factor of two when compared to a device in isolation.
Most of the theoretical works reported so far in this field
are based mainly on linear wave theory assumptions. How-
ever, for the design of a structure with a higher wave input, a
theoretical prediction of hydrodynamic characteristics may
not be accurate and therefore, one would have to resort to
experimental investigations.
A detailed survey of the existing literature shows that
studies pertaining to hydrodynamic performance character-
istics of an array of MOWC wave energy caissons are
scarce. A detailed experimental program is warranted to
formulate a suitable mathematical model. Hence it has
been decided that detailed experimental investigations are
carried out to evaluate the hydrodynamic characteristics.
Experimental measurements on wave-induced forces,
wave-induced air pressures inside the OWC and the effi-
ciency of the power absorption have been conducted. In
view of the scope of this paper, some typical results on
efficiency have been discussed.
3 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
3.1 Physical mudelling
Froude scaling is adopted for physical modelling, which
allows for the correct reproduction of gravitational and
fluid inertial forces. Model tests were designed to simulate
the conditions of the proposed prototype caissons in array.
The principle of the images method has been adopted in
order to avoid fabrication of a number of models (Fig. 3) and
to simulate the condition of the array.
Mathematically, the principle of the images method for
wave energy caissons provides for an infinite number of
units, but practically, the number of units is limited to a
finite value. For the present case, the proposed number of
units is about 14, each of length of approximately 21 m such
that a breakwater of 300 m length has been replaced as an
63
array by these units. For this proposed prototype array,
model studies have been carried out during the present
research.
In this finite size array, there may be some end effect and
it may change the results obtained by experiment. But the
study of the end effect is not within the scope of the present
study, because of the limitation on available experimental
facilities. But, of course, from a practical point of view, the
effects need to be investigated.
In the physical modelling of this finite size array, a repre-
sentation has been made of a single device using the images
method. In this, a number of sources of equal strength are
placed in a straight line with spacing between the adjacent
sources S, however, this has been replaced by a single
source and two walls. Placing the source at the centre
between the two walls, the spacing between the walls is
now S.
The model scale ratio is selected by considering the cap-
ability of the wave maker to produce waves of the required
period and height. According to Kaldenhoff [21], a model
between 1:20 and I:60 or larger, if the laboratory facility
permits, is recommended as a standard practice. In this
study, a 1:50 model of the existing prototype was fabricated
using perspex material.
The caisson model is fitted with wing walls on both sides
to have channel width (5) of 40,60,80 and 100 cm (Fig. 4)
with a fixed harbour width of 20 cm. By using the wing
walls, the spacing S is varied. Starting from an S value of
100 cm, we reduce the S value, the wing walls are cut on
both sides appropriately. Perspex sheets of 8 mm thickness
were used for fabrication. For rigidity, adequate stiffeners
were provided. While the prototype caisson of the fabricated
1:50 model has an inverted bell shaped dome above the
OWC chamber, a horizontal plate covers the chamber in
the model. However, the volume of air inside the chamber
of model is made equal to the scaled down volume of the air
chamber of the prototype. The base of the model is firmly
fitted with a force balance. Alteration of the orifice opening
area (a) is carried out by moving a cover plate on the top of
the OWC chamber to simulate different damping conditions
inside the OWC air chamber.
3.2 Experimental facility and set-up
A 2 m wide, 30 m long regular wave flume, at the Ocean
Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology,
Madras, India was used. A mild steel mobile wall of 10 m
length was used to get the desired centre to centre spacing
between the caisson using the principle of the images
method. A 1: 10 slope rubble beach was provided on the
other side of the flume in order to dissipate the energy of
the waves (Fig. 5). A false bottom with a 1:50 slope was
provided. The model was kept at a distance of 22 m from the
wave generator (Fig. 6). The false bottom which starts from
the edge of the force balance extends for a length of 12 m
towards the wave maker. Water depth at the toe of the
model was 24.0 cm (Fig. 6). The wave generator is a
64 K. Thiruvenkatasamy ana S. Neelamani

0; WAVE

Fig. 3. Definition sketch for images method.

reciprocating wedge type plunger, administered by a
variable frequency motor. The wave period range used is
from 0.8 to 2.0 s. Wave heights up to 9.4 cm were
generated. Care was taken to coliect the data before any
reflected wave from the plunger arrived back at the test
section.
3.3 Instrumentation and method of analysis
Churchill type wave probes were used to measure the water
surface elevation inside the OWC chamber and the incident
and reflected waves. These consist of two stainless steel
wires of 1.5 mm diameter kept 12.5 mm apart. The wave
probe is capable of measu~ng water surface elevation with
an accuracy of 0.01 mm.
A Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik (HBM)-Pl l-Inductive
type pressure transducer of range & 0.5 bar was provided at
the inner face of the top of the dome to measure air pressure.
A suitable fixing method (with water proofing arrange-
ments) to hold the pressure transducer in position was
adopted. The transducer was connected to a multi-channel
carrier frequency amplifier for the conversion of transducer
signals into voltages. The real time histories of the measured
dynamic pressures were determined using the calibration
coefficients of the pressure transducer.
A 12 bit A/D converter was used for the conversion of
analog signals into digital data. Each set of data acquired is
for a period of 15 s, at a sampling frequency of 20 Hz. The
data collection was started only after ensuring that there was
a stable and periodic action of waves on the model. Prior to
 On the eficiency of wave energy caissons in array 65
___
f 1 values of each record were evaluated using a computer pro-
gram. In order to avoid errors in this process of analysis, the
peak positive and negative values were found for each cycle
and the average of these values was used for analysis.

3.4 Closed and opened condition of the OWC chamber

In the present study, the condition of the orifice prior to

installation of the turbine in the air duct is known as the
fully opened orifice. With the power module in position,

.I__,
the opened condition of the orifice pertains to partially
opened conditions, due to the presence of the turbine.
3 Closing and opening the orifice are the two extreme situations
with regard to the OWC functioning. The orifice has to be

2\
closed, if the turbine requires protection against the severe
3 dynamic pressures present during the monsoon condition.
*________________- I Therefore, tests were performed for the closed and opened
condition of the orifice apart from two partially opened
conditions. The maximum damping inside the air chamber
occurs under the closed condition and minimum under the
opened condition.

3.5 Hydrodynamic parameters

Regular wave tests were carried out under the following

conditions:
ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN mm
Fig. 4. Wave energy caisson model with wing walls (plan view}.
data acquisition, the pressure transducer and wave probe
were calibrated according to the standard procedure. A
brief error analysis of various parameters is given in
Appendix A. Fig. 7 shows the scheme for the data acquisi-
tion system.
From the raw time histories of water elevations and air
pressures, the real time histories were obtained using appro-
priate calibration factors. Then the maximum and minimum
1. Wave period, T: 0.8-2.0 s, at intervals of 0.2 s.
2. Wave steepness, H/L: 0.005-0.09 1, three different
wave steepnesses for each wave period.
3. Relative water depth, dlL: 0.084-0.23 1. It is ideal to
study the effect of wave frequency keeping the inci-
dent wave steepness constant. But this is not possible
with the present wave generation facility. Hence,
while keeping the wave frequency (d/L) constant,
experiments were conducted for three different
wave heights (H/L).
4. Area ratio, a/A: [Orifice opening area (a) to OWC
plan area (A)]; 0.0 (fully closed condition; maximum

Steel slots

WAVE

Fig. 5. Experimental set-up for a 2D-study (plan view).

66 K. Thiruvenkatasamy and S. Neelamani

WOVl
goncmtor
,Hovable rtrrl wall of 101 kngfb 7

ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN mm

Fig. 6. Experimental set-up for a 2D-study (sectional view).

damping), 0.81% (partially opened), 2.42% (partially
opened), and 4.03% (fully opened condition; mini-
mum damping, without turbine).
5. Spacing ratio, Sib: 2, 3, 4, and 5.
3.6 Incident and reflected wave measurement
was mounted on a trolley which was moved over the length
of the flume on rails. The wave elevation of a partially
reflected wave train in the flume was obtained as a wave
envelope. Knowing the maximum wave height (HI) and
minimum wave height (Hz) of the envelope, the incident
wave height (H) and reflected wave height (H,) were
obtained as

The water surface elevation of the incident wave was mea- H = (H, + Hz)/2 (1)
sured at the model location in the absence of a model for
H, = (H, - Hz)/2 (2)
predetermined sets of different wave period and amplitude
combinations. Waves of a set were generated twice and the Then the reflection coefficient (K,) is obtained as
average value of H was taken as the incident wave height for
K, = H,IH (3)
that particular combination. The repeatability of the wave
height was ensured. The wave period was calculated from The accuracy of this method depends upon the horizontal
the time history of the incident wave elevation by dividing movement of the trolley. This method yields good results if
the total data collection duration by the number of occurring the wave heights are relatively large in comparison with the
wave cycles. undulations in the rails and the trolley. In the present facil-
For the measurement of a reflected wave, a wave probe ity, there were no noticeable undulations.

I I
VOLTAGE
I
7 L-I STABILIZER k==+=

X ( From the
J
force balance )

1
-0WC Osdllations

l-i
) WAVE --_) . AID
From COMPUTER
wave Incidentand MONITOR CARD

Pmb Refleded Wave +

)
Envelope
-
Fig. 7. Scheme of data acquisition system.
 On the e#ciency of wave energy caissons in array 67

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Efficiency of power absorption

The efficiency of MOWC in array is defined as the average

power absorbed by the MOWC to the average incident wave
power over the caisson width. The efficiency computation is
briefly discussed in Appendix B. The investigations were 181
C=-e.
0.0 1.0 2.0t T.0ec3).0 5.0 6.0
carried out for a wide range of dlL and HIL and for four e
different a/A and S/b values. However, a typical and impor-
tant outcome of the study on the efficiency of power absorp-
tion is presented.
The present experimental investigations can be compared
with theoretical work. However, the published analytical
works have the following limitations:
1.They are applicable only for waves which are less
steep and hence the nonlinear effects are not -5.81
0.0 1.0 2.at T.ze,,4.0 6.0 6.0
accounted for.
2. The actual wave-structure interaction involves
some loss of energy which is not considered in the
theory.
This experimental investigation of the problem takes care
of the above two limitations automatically. There are quite a
number of researchers involved in analytical work related to
the topic of this paper (e.g., Evans [6], Malmo and Reitan
-6.0
[ 15 171 and McIver and Evans [ 181). The present work can 0.0 1.0 2.0t :.f3,,4.0 5.0 6.0
be compared with their theoretical results after alteration of
some of the boundary conditions and geometrical dimen-
_.-
sions. It is expected that the present experimental measure-
2 3.e a/A - 2.42%
ments agree significantly with theory, if the above changes
are made. However, at present, there is no theory available ;r l.B-
for direct comparison. f-1.0-
0.
a-3.e
4.2 Time series
-6.8-l
0.0 1.0 2.0t y.fmc,4.0 5.0 6.0
Figure 8 shows a typical time series of power absorbed by
OWC for S/b = 3, d/L = 0.164 and H/L = 0.016. The time
series of power for a/A = 0.0 shows that the air gets com-
pressed and rarefied. In general, it is found that the absorbed a/A = 4.03% I
power is at a maximum at a/A = 0.81% and it reduces with
increase of a/A. For maximum damping condition, positive
as well as negative power is noticeable. Negative power
corresponds to power reflected back to the open sea from
the OWC. A similar plot of S/b = 3, d/L = 0.087 and H/L = -5.04
0.018 is given in Fig. 9. 0.0 1.0 2.gt ?.fe,;'.O 5.0 6.0

4.3 Effect of wave steepness Fig. 8. Time histories of the incident wave and absorbed power by
the OWC (S/b = 3, d/L = 0.164, H/L = 0.016).

Figure 10(a) and (b) shows the effect of wave steepness on

the efficiency of OWC for Slb = 5 and Sib = 4 and for alA =
0.81% and d/L = 0.164 respectively. In both cases, the
increase in wave steepness decreases the efficiency of the
OWC. This is due to the fact that for higher H/L values,
especially when the trough amplitude of the wave is more
than the depth of immersion of the lip wall below SWL,
the air pressure inside the OWC chamber will become
atmospheric for a considerable duration over a wave
period, due to blow up. Over this blow up period, the
power available inside the OWC is zero. For
steeper waves, the losses in energy due to turbulence
in the harbour region, spillage and vortex shedding are
greater.
68 K. Thiruvenkutasamy and S. Neelamani

-e.wl
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 6.0 6.0
0.00 0.03 0.06 0.09
t (set)
H/L

12.0, I I

= 0.0

a
z -6.0

0.0 1.0 2.0t ~.oQb,;Q.E 6.0 6.0

HI L

._._ Fig. 10. Effect of wave steepness on efficiency: (a) S/b = 5, a/A =
a/A = 0.81% 0.81%, d/L = 0.164. (b) S/b = 4, a/A = 0.81%. diL = 0.164.
2 6.0-

whereas for alA = 2.42% and alA = 4.03%, the average

il
efficiency is about 35% and 20%, respectively. The power
2 -6.0- cannot be absorbed from the OWC chamber for the fully
closed condition. Hence the plot of efficiency against d/L for
-12.8-v
the fully closed condition is not relevant. However, out of
0.0 1.0 2.0t T.tecj4.0 6.0 6.0
academic interest, it is presented.

4.5 Effect of spacing ratio (S/b)

The effect of spacing ratio on efficiency for d/L = 0.164 and

L
0 e.e
for a/A = 2.42% is given in Fig. 12. It has been observed
x
that the efficiency increases up to S/b = 3. An average of
2 -6.8
about 60% efficiency is achieved when Slb = 3 with the
-lz.eiiI present structural configuration. Further increase in S/b
0.0 1.0 2.0t T.fe,,4.0 6.0 6.0 results in a reduction in efficiency. The probable reason
for this may be the increased reflection of the wave
energy from the array for higher S/b values.
It is noticeable that the wave-structure interaction results
in energy losses due to the convergence at the harbour
mouth, vortex shedding at the lip, turbulence inside the
harbour and OWC reflection from the caisson, etc. For
lower S/b values, the loss of energy excluding reflection
will dominate, whereas for higher S/b values, the energy
-72.01I
0.0 1.0 2.0t T.fe,;.O 6.0 6.0
loss due to reflection will dominate when compared to the
incident wave energy. Further study is required to improve
Fig. 9. Time histories of the incident wave and absorbed power by the efficiency of the OWC with a different configuration of
the OWC (S/b = 3, d/L = 0.087, H/L = 0.018). various components of the array of the caisson. Detailed
mathematical modelling is warranted to obtain the mechan-
4.4 Effect of relative water depth (d/L) ism for the damping process inside the OWC chamber.

A plot showing the variation of efficiency of OWC with
relative water depth (d/L) for four different a/A values is
given in Fig. 11. A study of this plot shows that the effi-
ciency is highly nonlinear, since the measured data points
show significant scatter. It is observed that the average effi-
ciency of the OWC for alA = 0.81% is found to be 50%;
4.6 Effect of damping (or) a/A
Figure 13 shows the effect of damping on the efficiency of the
OWC for three different H/L values (H/L = 0.018, 0.011,
0.005). For each a/A, the corresponding average damping
coefficients [(P X A)lv, where P is the air pressure inside the
 On the efficiency of wave energy caissons in array 69

a/A = 0.0

l 50
A
x A
z A
A
%

Fig. 12. Effect of spacing ratio on efficiency (a/A = 2.42%, dl

-a/A = 0.81% A L = 0.164).
5 f A
A
4.7 Effect of wave frequency on energy reflection
; 68: 4 A

AgA A A A typical plot showing the variation of energy reflection

A A from the OWC array with relative water depth (dlL) for
A A
S/b = 3, a/A = 0.81% is given in Fig. 14. It is found that
fd~~~~..,...~ the energy reflection decreases with increasing frequency.
Q.BD 1.s 0.18 8.16 8.6s e.aj
The average energy reflection was found to be 30%. If more
d/L
103 absorption of energy by the OWC is intended, then the
ii a/A = 2.42%
energy reflection should be reduced by changing the struc-
tural configuration. This requires further investigation.

5 CONCLUSIONS

1. The efficiency of power absorption of the OWC

increases up to Slb = 3. A further increase in Sib
results in the reduction of efficiency. S/b = 3 is
found to be the optimum spacing ratio for the present
structural configuration. Further investigation is
a/A = 4.03%
essential to identify the factors which need to be
altered to enhance the hydrodynamic performance
behavior.
2. A maximum wave power absorption efficiency of
about 65% for the OWC chamber is found for spacing

d
ia*
B- ,,..,~.,,,....,,,,,.,,..,,.,,,,,,,..,,,.,,,.4.,
(q#)
0-m 0.6 e. 16 6.16
d/L
Fig. 11. Effect of relative water depth on efficiency (S/b = 4).
OWC and v is the vertical velocity of the OWC water
surface] are given. It is found that the efficiency increases
up to a/A = 0.81%. A further increase in a/A results in
efficiency reduction. This is due to the fact that, with
increase in a/A from 0.81% to 4.03%, even though OWC
water surface oscillations are increasing, there is a consider-
able pressure reduction, which in turn results in reduced
efficiency. This plot confirms that an a/A value of 0.81%
is the optimum orifice opening area ratio. Otherwise the
average optimum damping for the present set-up is about
285 Ns/m.
4 A
ratio, Sib = 3 with the present configuration for a/A of
2.42%
3. In general, it is found that, for lower S/b, the loss of
0.a 6.S
energy excluding reflection dominates and for higher
S/b, the energy loss due to reflection dominates.
4. The efficiency is found to increase up to alA =
0.81%. Further increase in a/A results in a reduction
of the efficiency for all the conditions studied. An
efficiency of about 65% is attained for a/A =
0.81%. For the present structural configuration, an
area ratio (a/A) of about 1.0% is found to be the
optimum for efficient power absorption.
5. The efficiency decreases with increase in wave steep-
ness, due to a greater blow up period for higher HIL
values than for lower H/L values.
6. The percentage of energy reflection decreases with
increasing relative water depth (d/L). The average
energy reflection is found to be about 30%.
70 K. Thiruvenkutasamy and S. Neelamani

Average Damping Coefficient (N-s/m)

360.0 336.66 79.1 34.6

HA_ - 0.810

Fig. 14.Effect of relative water depth on energy reflection (S/b = 3,

3.6 4.6
4.6 rn.6 I.5
a/A = 0.81%).
8/A t-:1

Average Damping Coefficient (N-s/m) REFERENCES

380.6 285.21 52.44 32.45
1. Elliot, G., Wave energy studies at the UK National Engineer-
G IW-
HA = 0.811
ing Laboratory. In Proceedings of the Second Int. Symp. on
3
Wave and Tidal Energy, Cambridge,Sept.23-25, 1981,pp.
i
269-282.
i3 : 2. Shaw, R., Wave Energy-A Design Challenge. Ellis Hor-
wood Limited, UK, 1982.
3. Count, B. M., Fry, R. and Haskell, J., An experimental inves-
A
tigation of the harbour concept in wave energy. Central Elec-
tricity Generating Board, Marchwood Engng Lab., Res.
Report TPRD/M/l208/N83, March, 1983.
4. Carmichael, A. D. and Falnes, J., State of the art in wave
power recovery. In Int. Con& on Ocean Engineering, Recov-
ery-state of the Art. ASCE, 1992.
5. Ambli, N., Bonke, K., Malmo, 0. and Reitan, H., The Kvaer-
ner multiresonant OWC. In Proceedings of the 2nd Inter-
Average Damping COeffiChnt (N-s/m) national Symposium on Wave Energy Utilisation,
77.44 Trondheim, Norway. Tapir, 1982, pp. 275-295.
7265.15 252.44 47.50
6. Evans, D. V., Wave power absorption within a resonant har-
I
bour. In Proceedings of the 2nd Int. Symp. on Wave Energy
H/L = 8.886
Utilisation, Trondheim, 1982, pp. 7 l-378.
7. Count, B. M., Theoretical hydrodynamic studies on harbour
system for wave energy absorption. Central Electricity Gen-
erating Board, Marchwood Engng Lab., UK, Res. Report
TPRD/M/l334/N83, March, 1983.
8. Count, B. M. and Evans, D. V., The influence of projecting
side walls on the hydrodynamic performance of wave-energy
devices. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1984, 145 361-376.
9. Hunter, R. S., Future possibilities for the NEL Oscillating
Water Column wave energy convertor. Experimental
a/A tn)
Measurements and theoretical Predictions of phase control
in regular waves. Report Pr39: WAVE/O0 for Department
Fig. 13. Effect of dampingon efficiency(S/b= 4, d/L = 0.087). of Energy. National Engineering Laboratory, East Kilbride,
Glasgow, 1982.
10. Whenjie Zheng, Experimental research and parameters opti-
mization of a prototype OWC wave power device. In Pro-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ceedings of the International Conference on Ocean Energy
Recovery, (ICOER89), 1987, pp. 43-50.
11. Koola, P. M., Investigations on the performance behavior of
The authors wish to acknowledge the Department of oscillating water column wave energy device. Ph.D. thesis,
Ocean Development, Government of India for funding the Ocean Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology,
R&D activities on wave energy. The authors are grateful to Madras, February, 1990.
the Wave Energy Group for their help and encouragement 12. Jayakumar, Wave forces on oscillating water column type
and all the project staff for their help during the investi- wave energy caisson-an experimental study. Ph.D thesis.
Ocean Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology,
gation of this research work. The kind help of Professor Madras, 1994.
Michio Sato, Mr Ryuichiro Nishi and Dr Veukatta Ramana 13. Takahashi, S., A study on design of a wave power extracting
Katta of Kagoshima University in preparing this paper is caisson breakwater, Wave Power Laboratory, Port and Har-
gratefully appreciated. bour Research Institute, Japan, 1988.
 On the eficiency of wave energy caissons in array 71

14. Goda, Y., Random Seas and Design of Maritime Structures. 2 EFFICIENCY COMPUTATION
University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 1985.
15. Malmo, 0. and Reitan, A., Wave power absorption by an
The hydrodynamic efficiency of the OWC is defined as
oscillating water column in a channel. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, 1985, 158 153-175.
16. Malmo, 0. and Reitan, A., Wave power absorption by an
oscillating water column in a reflecting wall. Applied Efficiency(q) = ~j~~~~ S
Ocean Research, 1986, 8( 1) 42-48.
17. Malmo, 0. and Reitan, A., Wave-power absorption by a
finite row of oscillating water columns in a reflecting wall.
Applied Ocean Research, 1986, l?(2) 105-109.
18. McIver, P. and Evans, D. V., An approximate theory for the
performance of a number of wave-energy devices set into a Appendix B.l: Incident power (P,)
reflecting wall. Applied Ocean Research, 1988, lO(2) 58-65.
19. Evans, D. V., Some analytical results for two and three The instantaneous incident wave power per crest width of S
dimensional wave energy absorbers. Power from Sea is given by,
Waves, ed. B. M. Count. Academic Press, London, 1980.
0
20. Whittaker, T. J. T. and Stewart, T. P., An experimental study
of nearshore and shoreline oscillating water columns with Pins, inc = _dp*u*dz*S
I
harbours. European Wave Energy Symposium, 21-24
July,Edinburgh, UK, 1993. where,
21. Kaldenhoff, H., Breakwaters-Layout and Design. Short pgH coshk(d + z)
Term Course at the Ocean Engineering Centre, Indian Insti- cos(kx - wt)
= 2 cosh(kd)
tute of Technology, Madras, India, 1990.
22. Holman, J. P. and Gajda, Jr, W. J., Experimental Methodsfor
Engineers. McGraw-Hill International Editions, New York, Hgk coshk(d + z)
u = 2w cosh(kd) cos(b - 4
1989.
p = pressure intensity due to an incident wave, u =
horizontal water particle velocity of the incident wave,
APPENDIX A UNCERTAINITY ANALYSIS p = density of water, g = acceleration due to gravity,
H = wave height, d = water depth, k = wave number, w =
The uncertainty WR of a computed variable R in an experi- angular wave frequency, t = time, x = co-ordinate
ment which is a function of variables XI, X2,. . .X, each in the X-direction, z = co-ordinate in the Zdirection, T =
having uncertainities WI, W2,. . . W, is given as[22] wave period, A = OWC water plan area and L = wave length.

1 Pis,ic= !z!!C 1 + sin;;;kdJ cos?kx - wt)

8 T
Total power over a wave period T is
T

To estimate the uncertainty in the computation of efficiency pT, inc = o Pins, incdt

of power absorption, the uncertainties of all the measured

The average incident wave power over a wave cycle per
variables have been estimated. This appendix shows the
unit wave period T for crest width S is given by,
uncertainty analysis in Table 1.

Table 1. Uncertainty analysis

Parameter Uncertainty
Appendix B.2: Absorbed power (P,)
1. Incident wave height W,IH = + 2.5%
2. Air pressure inside the OWC WdP = + 1.234%
3. Oscillations inside the OWC W,/x = t 2.5% Instantaneous absorbed power by the OWC is given by,
4. Overall width of the caisson WsIS = ? 0.125% Pins, abs = Pi * vi * A
5. Harbour width Wdb = 2 0.25%
6. OWC chamber length W& = + 0.323% where, pi is the instantaneous air pressure inside the cham-
7. OWC area W,lA = -c 0.408% ber and vi is the vertical velocity of OWC oscillations.
8. Water depth Wdd = + 0.208% Ui-Ui-1
9. Incident wave period WTIT = 2 0.381% Vi =
10. Wave length WLIL = * 0.777% At
11. Incident power WdP, = 2 8.98% ai is the water surface elevation inside the OWC, at the ith
12. Absorbed power W&P, = -t 2.84% instant, ai- is the water surface elevation inside the OWC
13. Efficiency WAq = 2 9.4% at the (i - I)th instant, and At is the sampling interval.
 72 K. Thiruvenkatasamy and S. Neelamani

The total power absorbed, PT,a~over a period T is, where,

T T
pT, abs = oPiviAdt n=E
I
Since the sampling interval is At, the integration can be Average absorbed power per unit time is given by,
achieved by numerical summation.
Pa = A f ,$ PiViAt
I-1
P T, abs = $ PiviAAt
i=l

The author has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are linked to publications on ResearchGate.