Comparison between linear and quadratic power take off for a single chamber land-fixed oscillating water column (OWC)

This study examines the influence of turbine response type on the performance of a land-fixed Oscillating Water Column (OWC) under second-order Stokes waves of varying heights. Numerical modelling techniques, including the Finite Element Method, incompressible Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) k- ω turbulence model, and an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) scheme, were employed to gain insights into OWC behaviour. The linear turbine consistently displayed reduced efficiency with increasing wave height, maintaining a stable peak non-dimensional wave number ( k h ). Conversely, the quadratic turbine exhibited peak efficiency within a narrower wave height range, strongly influenced by wave height. Non-dimensional volume flow rate, non-dimensional chamber pressure, chamber volume, and maximum force on the front wall remained unaffected by changes in wave height for the linear turbine. In contrast, the quadratic turbine was notably impacted by variations in wave height. Moreover, the quadratic turbine revealed stronger odd-numbered higher-order harmonic components in both force and pressure due to its non-linear response. Notably, both linear and quadratic response types exhibited sloshing at similar wave numbers, suggesting minimal influence of turbine response on sloshing behaviour. Finally, the derived non-dimensional turbine coefficients proved both turbines could scale OWC models with negligible scaling effects from the turbine. • The turbine choice (linear or quadratic) impacts OWC behaviour. • Linear turbines exhibit stability, less affected by wave height changes. • Quadratic turbines adapt to unpredictable waves but are strongly affected by wave height. • Quadratic turbines generate strong odd-numbered harmonics. • Scaling with non-dimensional coefficients shows minimal efficiency drop up to 10x.