Underwater Geometry optimization for an oscillating water column ocean wave energy converter

This paper describes an experimental programme designed for the comparison of the performance of oscillating water column (OWC) underwater geometry. The process described utilises two-dimensional (2D) Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) data in conjunction with wave probe and pressure transducer data to provide qualitative and quantitative information. At present the testing scheme is limited to monochromatic waves and 2D based assumptions. A method is presented for qualitative comparison of candidate geometry. It is concluded that average-kinetic energy fields are a suitable qualitative process for ranking of candidate geometry.