Oscillating water coulumns and other wave energy devices

[octavian]

I'm starting this thread since i know some of you are not familiar with wave energy.

Unfortunately i am no master in this field (or any other for that matter) but i will try my best to explain the concept behind an OWC or oscillating water coumn which is just one of many devices created to extract energy from ocean waves.

The oscillating water column (OWC) operates much like a wind turbine
via the principle of wave induced air pressurization. Some sort of closed containment housing (air chamber) is placed above the water and the passage of waves changes the water level within
the housing. If the housing is completely sealed, the rising and falling water level will increase and decrease the air pressure respectively within the housing. With this concept in mind, we can
place a turbine on top of the housing through which air may pass into and out of. Air will flow
into the housing during a wave trough and will flow out of the housing during a wave crest.
Because of this bidirectional air flow, the turbine must be designed to rotate in only one direction
no matter the direction of air flow. The Wells Turbine was designed for this type of application
and is used in most OWC devices today.

[Von]

Since reading your first post, I've been thinking how one may do this in a different way, since this is a bidirectional air device. Take a look at the link below, this type of a device can work with air from any direction. I envision to put such turbine in a ventury encasement to increase velocity. Kind of like an hour glass shape, but retangular.

One could easily scale up such a device lengthwise by stacking. I would also think that putting a flywheel at on end to keep momentum, would be an improvement.

Savonius wind turbine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Von

[octavian]

Since reading your first post, I've been thinking how one may do this in a different way, since this is a bidirectional air device. Take a look at the link below, this type of a device can work with air from any direction. I envision to put such turbine in a ventury encasement to increase velocity. Kind of like an hour glass shape, but retangular.

One could easily scale up such a device lengthwise by stacking. I would also think that putting a flywheel at on end to keep momentum, would be an improvement.

Savonius wind turbine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Von

I'm not exactly sure if i'm imagining this right... but it seems to me a wells turbine would still be the most effective way to extract energy from this bidirectional flow, eventhough a company called energetec is working on a way to improve it. I believe it would take a lot less space than what you are suggesting but for experimenting at home it would surely be the easiest sollution since the wells turbine is a high precision instrument and would have to bought.

I would love it if you could help me understand what you ment a bit better by perhaps posting some sort of drawing...

[Von]

Look at this simple kit, and how its constructed.

http://www.re-energy.ca/pdf/wind-turbine.pdf

These type of turbines will always go in the same rotation no matter where the wind blows. In your case its from below of the lift stack, and when the wave receedes, from above.

So, imagine the center shaft laying horizontal, in the middle of an hourglass shape with a larger diameter lift stack below that now moves that large area of air in to a smaller ventury type area, where the horizontal turbine resides, it will give you a increase of velocity effect. And to keep the turbine from slowing down and speeding up, depending on the dwell time of the wave, install a heavy flywheel on on end of the shaft, and the generator on the other end.

Of course instead of the the hourglass shape being round, it needs to be rectangular in shape to match the lenght of the turbine. Think about a large

X

With the turbin in the center

Von

[muttdogg]

Wells turbine

Hey Octavian.
As I said, start your post as Wells turbine, then you will see if anybody is interested. If not try the yahoo groups,or somewhere else, not all forums deal with the same things. Also feel free to peruse this forum for other, information. I have tried to discuss, in detail, how an e-bike might be viable, on this forum. Not enough interest here. Doesn't mean there is no help, just this forum doesn't do that. Good luck in your quest. Find your muse, then bang her like
Dan

[octavian]

Hey Octavian.
As I said, start your post as Wells turbine, then you will see if anybody is interested. If not try the yahoo groups,or somewhere else, not all forums deal with the same things. Also feel free to peruse this forum for other, information. I have tried to discuss, in detail, how an e-bike might be viable, on this forum. Not enough interest here. Doesn't mean there is no help, just this forum doesn't do that. Good luck in your quest. Find your muse, then bang her like
Dan

hehe,
well Dan i thought about having it about the wells turbine only but that woudn't help me much really... what i would like to hear more about is methods of improving this device (OWC) and others like it. i think this is a interesting subject and since it's renewable it should fit well in this forum, although the interest may not be as great as i could have hoped

[muttdogg]

Wella turbine

My friend.
Put "wells tubine" on your search engine. You will find 10 forums discussing this device. Maybe only 2 will help. But, go seek your answers where there are others of like mind.There is nothing wrong with going to a group that has your same interest in mind. We are all interested in the free discussion of ideas. It is just not here.
Dan

[octavian]

My friend.
Put "wells tubine" on your search engine. You will find 10 forums discussing this device. Maybe only 2 will help. But, go seek your answers where there are others of like mind.There is nothing wrong with going to a group that has your same interest in mind. We are all interested in the free discussion of ideas. It is just not here.
Dan

i have and will continue to do so, but i see no reason why this thread shouldn't be here... if no one cares about the subject then it will fall back to one of the latter pages of this forum and be forgotten.
thanks for your concern but i know where to gather information besides here. just thought i'd bring it up and see if anyone was interested.

[octavian]

link

Wave and Hydroelectric Energy Forum - The Environment Site Forums

this is a link to a site that is mostly concerned with wave energy. doesn't seem like there is much interest here but i thought i'd mention it.

[ashtweth]

YouTube - Future of Energy

[Vortex]

YouTube - Future of Energy

This device, as simple as it is, water pump, paddle wheel and generator,
is claimed to be self-powered.

Ash, I understand why you said nothing and only posted the video link.
If it could be this simple, everything would change almost over night.

Two weeks ago the creator of the device in the video said this:
"Here is a recent update, the generator is complete and running as intended, I will now be contacting the right people to do the documentations. And I will be making a new video for my viewers very soon outside in the parking lot."

Let's keep an eye open to see if more information is to be learned about
the details involved that make this device special.
It could be that it is not special and just a matter misconception of what is possible and what is not possible.

Keep on thinking
Randy