Investigation on the Influence of Mooring System Configuration on the Hydrodynamic Performance of an Oscillating Water Column Array System
摘要
This paper presents a multi-module oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter (WEC) array system, comprising seven interconnected OWC modules. The modules are connected by elastic ropes with clumped weights positioned at the ropes’ midpoints. Three distinct mooring systems are designed for this OWC array, and the impact of mooring configurations on the hydrodynamic responses of the OWCs and mooring tensions is thoroughly examined. Three-dimensional potential flow theory is applied to perform time domain analyses. The motion responses of representative modules, the tension of specific mooring lines, and the spacing between adjacent modules in the array system are investigated through a comprehensive coupled dynamic analysis in the time domain. Based on these analyses, recommendations are provided for the optimal mooring system configuration for the array system.