Dual Orifice Outlet Configurations in Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB) for Enhanced Hydrodynamic Performance

Authors

  • Nurul Afiqah Mohd Azhar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Nurul Afiqah Mohd Azhar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Alif Omar Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang, Malaysia
  • Mohd Rosdzimin Abdul Rahman Department of Mechanical Engineering. Centre for Defence Research & Technology (CODRAT), National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Azfarizal Mukhtar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang, Malaysia
  • Mohd Kamarul Huda Samion Hydraulic and Instrumentation Laboratory, National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), Seri Kembangan, Malaysia
  • Yasutaka Imai Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University, Saga, Japan
  • Mohd Rashdan Saad Department of Aeronautic Engineering & Aviation, Faculty of Engineering. Centre for Defence Research & Technology (CODRAT), National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Renewable Energy, Ocean Energy, Wave Energy Converter (WEC), Oscillating Water Column (OWC), Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB), Orifice

Abstract

This research explored the Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB), a type of Wave Energy Converter (WEC), to examine the relationship between the location of dual-orifice air column and the primary conversion efficiency. The BBDB type of WEC is promising due to its simple design and relatively strong performance, yet limited studies have investigated it, particularly concerning the orifice design, in comparison to other WEC types. The study aimed to investigate the impact of varying the location of the dual orifice air column of the BBDB device on its primary conversion efficiency. This was achieved by designing and fabricating three top panels each for horizontally and vertically aligned dual orifices with varying distance, tested in a 3D wave tank. The results indicated that the top panel with Configuration 2.3 exhibited the highest efficiency at 0.106%, followed by top panels with Configuration 1.3 (0.088%), Configuration 2.1 (0.085%), and Configuration 2.2 (0.082%). The findings suggest that top panels with vertically aligned dual orifices have higher efficiency compared to those with horizontally aligned dual orifices.

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Published

2026-01-15

Issue

Vol. 136 No. 1: December (2025)

Section

Articles