TITLE:
Optimal Design of a Multibody Self-Referencing Attenuator
AUTHORS:
Dongmei Zhou, Jennifer A. Eden
KEYWORDS:
Attenuator, Pelamis, Extraction Efficiency & Power, Numerical Simulation, Parametric Study
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Power and Energy Engineering,
Vol.3 No.9,
September
29,
2015
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal size and number of tubes for a generic attenuator that is similar to Pelamis P2, the wave energy converter. Simulations using ANSYS Workbench, Design Modeler, and AQWA are performed to study the energy absorption at the nodes between the tubes. The analysis is limited to linearized hydrodynamic fluid waves loading on floating bodies by employing three-dimensional radiation/diffraction theory in regular waves in the frequency domain. Three sets of tests are conducted by varying total tube number, each tube length and the order of tubes with different lengths. After a systematic study in the frequency domain, the optimal size and number of the genetic attenuator is recommended.