Mooring analysis of a floating OWC wave energy converter

This investigation focuses on the modelling of a floating oscillating water column (FOWC) wave energy converter with a numerical code (ANSYS AQWA) based on potential flow theory. Free-floating motions predicted by the numerical model were validated against experimental data extrapolated from a 1:36 scale model device in regular and irregular sea states. Upon validation, an assessment of the device’s motions when dynamically coupled with a four-line catenary mooring arrangement was conducted at different incident wave angles and sea states ranging from operational to survivable conditions, including the simulation of the failure of a single mooring line. The lack of viscosity in the numerical modelling led to overpredicted motions in the vicinity of the resonant frequencies; however, the addition of an external linear damping coefficient was shown to be an acceptable method of mitigating these discrepancies. The incident wave angle was found to have a limited influence on the magnitudes of heave, pitch, and surge motions. Furthermore, the obtained results indicated that the mooring restoring force is controlled by the forward mooring lines under the tested conditions.