A parametric study of energy extraction from vortex-induced vibrations

This paper presents a parametric investigation of an oscillating-cylinder turbine concept based on vortex-induced vibrations. The parametric space includes four parameters: the Reynolds number, the mass ratio, the dimensionless stiffness, and the dimensionless damping. The damping-stiffness space is explored for four different mass ratios at a fixed Reynolds number of 200. Also, the influence of the parameters on the amplitude of cylinder displacement and on the efficiency of power harnessing is discussed. Vortex-shedding patterns observed within the parametric space are investigated. The 2S, 2P, and C(2S) wake modes are observed and are related to turbine performance. Preliminary results show a maximum efficiency of 10.6%, which is obtained with low mass ratios.