Session: 13-06-01: Applied Mechanics and Materials in Micro- and Nano-Systems

Paper Number: 145211

145211 - Numerical Investigation on Wave Energy Harvesting Based on the Vibration of a Membrane 

Wave energy harvesting has emerged as a promising resource for sustainable energy solutions in recent years, offering huge potential to harness abundant renewable resources from oceans and seas. Wave energy is primarily generated by the wind as it blows across the surface of the sea, transferring its energy to the water and creating wave oscillation that carries kinetic and potential energy across vast distances.  However, technological advancement in developing wave energy converters (WECs) is still insignificant due to several unsolved challenges existing in the present technologies that hinder their widespread applications. In recent years, rubber-like elastomeric composite membrane topologies, that can streamline every part of WEC design, have made flexible body wave energy converters (WECs) increasingly popular. However, significant developments are required for designing energy-efficient and structurally stable membrane-based wave energy converter, especially, the development and analysis of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) of the wave energy converter is very important.

This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the potential of wave energy harvesting based on membrane vibration using fluid-solid interactions (FSI) modeling. The research aims to explore an innovative approach to harnessing wave energy, a renewable and abundant source of power, by capitalizing on the vibrational energy of membranes in response to oscillatory. The study employs advanced FSI modeling techniques to simulate the interactions between ocean waves and a specially designed membrane structure. The membrane, when subjected to wave action, exhibits specific vibrational patterns, which are then converted into usable electrical energy through an integrated energy conversion system.

The numerical models developed in this study are validated against experimental data, demonstrating high accuracy and reliability in predicting membrane vibrations and energy output. For designing a prototype of a wave energy converter using a flexible elastomeric membrane, computer-aided design CAD design software was used with standard design parameters from various published literature. In fluid-structure interactions modeling, computational fluid dynamics modeling is incorporated with structural dynamics to analyze the coupled interactions of wave dynamics and their response to the rigid body of the wave energy converters. The simulation results reveal that the proposed wave energy harvesting system can achieve significant energy conversion efficiency under various wave conditions. The CFD domain of the simulations provides flow characteristics of the wave such as pressure, viscosity, wall shear, and velocity of the streamline. The pressure generated from CFD simulation is transferred into the structural domain and calculates the stress, strain, and other structural properties. Furthermore, the study conducts a series of sensitivity analyses to optimize the design parameters of the membrane structure and the energy conversion system. The findings provide valuable insights into the design and operation of wave energy harvesting systems based on membrane vibration.

In conclusion, this research underscores the viability of membrane vibration-based wave energy harvesting as a sustainable and efficient solution for renewable energy generation by using the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) modeling.  The coupled analysis can be useful for studying complex phenomena such as the vibration of the flexible structure in response to the kinetic energy of the wave.   The study's outcomes contribute to the ongoing efforts in renewable energy research and pave the way for the development of novel wave energy technologies.

Presenting Author: Gazi Raihan University of New Orleans

Presenting Author Biography: Gazi Raihan is a graduate student doing his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Orleans. Currently, he is working under Dr. Uttam Chakravarty, Associate professor, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Orleans. His current research investigates sandwich material's prospective application and design for advanced wind blades and microelectromechanical devices.

Authors:

Gazi Raihan University of New Orleans
Uttam Chakravarty University of New Orleans