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Performance characterization of oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converters (WEC) is commonly assessed by conducting physical scale model experiments of OWC models fitted with orifice plates to the air chamber to both; simulate the power take off (PTO), and measure the air flow rate. Generally it is assumed that a single calibration factor can be used for bi-directional air flow measurement, however this paper shows the assumption can be in-accurate and that it is necessary to have separate inflow and outflow calibration factors. This paper presents (i) a novel method for in-situ calibration of an orifice and (ii) a simple algorithm to reduce noise during air flow reversal (low air chamber pressure differential). Application of this technique results in more accurate flow rate prediction and consequently, better prediction of the power absorbed by the power take-off for OWCs.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	wave energy; oscillating water column; oscillating flow; orifice calibration
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Maritime Engineering
Research Field:	Marine Engineering
Objective Division:	Energy
Objective Group:	Renewable Energy
Objective Field:	Wave Energy
Author:	Fleming, A (Dr Alan Fleming)
Author:	MacFarlane, G (Associate Professor Gregor MacFarlane)
ID Code:	113721
Year Published:	2017 (online first 2016)
Funding Support:	Australian Research Council (LP110200129)
Deposited By:	NC Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics
Deposited On:	2017-01-17
Last Modified:	2017-03-02
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