Scale 1:10 wave flume experiments on IIT oscillating water column wave energy device

Theyrepresent a small part of the research program undertaken at the IIT to develop an OWC device well suited to the sea state parameters of the Indian Ocean. A model of the prototype planned at the IIT was built in acrylic glass on the scale of 1:10; flow visualization and other measurements were performed.

The behaviour inside the chamber does not change significantly when the orifice diameter, the direction of wave approach or the water level is altered. An excess pressure and a down-shift of the water level are noticed in all measurements. Remarkable is the appearance of the second harmonic superimposed on the chamber pressure fluctuation which is connected with wave periods smaller than the design period of the OWC device.