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Proceedings of MARTEC 2022
The International Conference on Marine Technology
21-22 December 2022, BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh

WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER SUITABLE FOR FISHING VESSEL IN DEEP

COASTAL AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Md. Ismail1, Lamisa Musharrat2, Goutam Kumar Saha3

Bangladesh University of Engineering and

Technology
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
1
E-mail: 1612041@name.buet.ac.bd
2
E-mail: lamisa.musarrat@gmail.com
3
E-mail: goutamkumar@name.buet.ac.bd

ABSTRACT
Bangladesh's coastline comprises over 32 percent of its entire land, making it one of the most significant fishing hubs in the
world. Many trawling vessels are regularly used to catch fish, which depend on diesel-powered generators, lead-acid
batteries, or partially solar panels. The use of a diesel-powered generator increases carbon emissions into the environment.
Unfortunately, the environment suffers the consequences. So, experts worldwide are looking for environmentally friendly
energy sources. For instance, wave energy has the potential to be a viable alternative. The purpose of this research is to
present a wave energy converter model that can harvest energy from ocean waves at a lower cost while also being
environmentally friendly and operational for the duration of the voyage. The concept mainly operates by utilizing ocean
wave and heave-induced fluctuations in water wave height to generate air pressure to drive a spiral turbine. This research
was carried out based on theoretical analysis, MATLAB simulation, and model experimental methods. In the analytical
analysis, the mathematical relationship between air pressures with variation of water wave height is carried out. Later, a
wave energy converter model consist of two chamber and spiral turbine was used to generate air pressure induced in the
chambers due to wave height changes as well as the flow rate between the two chambers. Finally, the theoretical and
experimental data were compared to get a better understanding. Comparing these experimental values, it is found that for
a flow rate of 0.3125 liters/s yields a voltage of about 7V.

Keywords: Wave Energy Converter, Renewable Energy, Oscillating Water Column, Fishing Vessels.

1. INTRODUCTION radiation sickness and contamination, the

Most energy resources used in today's world are fossil
fuels. They can generate heat, power life and
electricity. Today's world has a record-high level of
energy consumption. Humans today consume up to 110
times as much energy per person as early humans did.
Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas, and other fossil fuels are
utilized for energy generation and distribution. Fossil
fuels are the root of many environmental issues,
including global warming, acid rain, and other
potentially detrimental environmental repercussions.
There are five fundamental sources of energy-
1. Solar energy
2. Gravity
3. Nuclear fission reactions
4. Energy in the interior of the Earth
5. Chemical bonds [4].
Although nuclear power plants are reliable source of
energy, they have the potential to cause substantial
environmental damage and pose a significant threat to
public safety. For example, the Chornobyl disaster,
which occurred on April 26, 1986, in the Soviet Union,
is regarded as the worst disaster in the history of
nuclear power generation. It resulted in widespread
contamination of millions of acres of forest and
farmland, the birth of deformed livestock, and long-
term adverse health effects on humans [6].
As a result, to meet the needs of the growing economy
while reducing the negative influence on the natural
environment in the near future, the demand for
environmentally friendly and renewable energy
resources has increased. According to the Renewables
2022 Global Status Report, 78.5% of global energy
consumption is derived from fossil fuels, followed by
12.5% from modern renewable energy sources.
Traditional biomass contributes 4.8%, whereas
geothermal, ocean, solar, and wind energy only
account for 2.8%.
It is possible to reduce the gap between fossil fuel
usage and the renewable energy market if the recent
advancements in the renewable energy sector are
considered. Between 2004 and 2013, the global
renewable energy sector (excluding hydropower) rose
from 85 to 560 Giga tonnes (GW) of installed capacity.
In terms of growth, the wind business increased from
48 to 318 GW, followed by the photovoltaic industry,
which increased from 2.6 to 139 GW. In addition to
political support and financial incentives, the rise of the
renewable energy sector can be attributed to a decrease

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in the costs of technology, which has made renewable
energy more cost competitive [3].
The oscillating wave energy converter was studied by
different authors, which exploits the surface wave
forces to produce a heaving motion that is transformed
into a rotating motion through a rack and pinion
system. The rotational motion produces clean electrical
power through an inverter and lights up a 3-W lamp.
The system's prototype was designed, manufactured,
assembled, and tested in shallow water near the
Lebanese shore, but the efficiency of this system could
be higher.[7] Other studies deal with oscillating water
columns, which are fixed, and non-portable and need
more area for more significant energy generation. [1, 2,
5] However, while a significant study has been done on
oscillating water column wave energy converters, none
has employed water flow to rotate turbines, and none
has attempted to make a wave energy converter
portable.
This research attempted to use water flow rather than
airflow to rotate the turbines, which will be directly
connected to a power generator. This system will be
portable and capable of meeting the energy
requirements of a fishing trawler, among other things.
2. MODEL STRUCTURE
The oscillating water column wave energy
converter comprises a cylinder-shaped drum, two
water chambers, pipelines, wires, a water turbine
generator, and a stopwatch.
Figure 1. Initial illustrated model structure
Figure 2. Final model structure
Wave energy converter suitable for fishing vessel in deep coastal areas of Bangladesh
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2.1 Cylindrical drum
As depicted in Figure 1, a hole must be drilled at the end of a
plastic drum to accommodate the insertion of a pipe. It is to
be submerged in water, and a change in wave height will
cause the air trapped inside the drum to exert pressure on the
water surface of the chamber connected to the pipeline.
2.2 Water chamber
Two cylindrical-shaped water chambers are constructed of
plastic. These chambers are labeled in liters to ease
measuring the water flow rate and are each pierced in the side
to accommodate a pipe that connects them. Although the
model design calls for two pipe connections, here only
connected one pipe in an experiment to assess the flow rate
in practice. The drum is connected to the first water chamber
through a conduit. This pipe carried air, which exerted
pressure on the first water chamber's surface. Water flows
from the first chamber to the second chamber through this
pipe, spinning the turbine due to the pressure on the water's
surface.
2.3 Turbine
In the experiment, a water turbine generator 12V 10W was
used, with a maximum current output of ≥ 220 mA. It can
power 12V radio and LED lights. It is energy efficient,
environmentally friendly, and simple to install. An inlet and
an outlet are connected by two ends of two pipes, which
connect two chambers to the turbine. A voltmeter was
connected to two wires linked to the turbine generator in
order to measure the voltage of the generated electricity.
However, it is to be replaced with a Kaplan turbine (propeller
turbine), which is connected to a generator. This turbine will
be inside the pipeline connecting two water chambers.
3. MECHANISM OF THE MODEL
When the wave height rises, the air component of the volume
is compressed, and this compression pressure is conveyed
down the pipe, eventually pushing the water surface of the
water chamber (1) of the figure (1). Due to the pressure in the
water in Chamber (1), the gate (1) that is connected to
Chamber (1) will open, allowing water to flow into Chamber
(2). It will also spin the turbine. As a result, the water
chamber (2) will be filled with water. When the wave height
in the drum falls, the air pressure drops, the piston moves
backward, and gate (1) closes, preventing water from passing
through. As a result, gate (2) will open, allowing water to
flow from Chamber (2) to chamber (1), spinning the turbine.
These turbines will be connected to a generator that will
convert the energy and store it in a battery. Ocean waves can
thus be used to extract energy.
4. MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS
Along with experimenting, the result was estimated
mathematically, pressure and flow rates were calculated in
both pipe ends, and the total work done in both chambers was
estimated.
4.1 Flow rate calculation
Calculation of the pressure due to compression in the
trapped air in the drum is done according to the Boyle’s
Law. Which can be described by,
P1𝑉1 =P2V2............................................................. (i)
4.1.1 Water velocity calculation
Assumptions (To Calculate the average velocity):
1. The gate 1&2 have smooth entrance, and thus the
frictional losses are negligible
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2. The flow is steady, incompressible, and irrotational Now, using equation (i) we get,
with negligible frictional effects (so that the P2=1.4291 atm.= 1.4291101325=144803.55pa
Bernoulli equation is applicable).
Now using Bernoulli’s equation, we get the velocity 5.1 Water velocity calculation
Now according to Bernoulli’s Equation from (ii),
𝑃2 𝑉12 𝑃3 𝑉22
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2 + ℎ𝐿 ……………. (ii) and P3=P4=1 atm (atmospheric pressure as Chamber 2’s
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔 𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔
upper surface is Open)
P3=1.09671 atm,
2(𝑃2 −𝑃3 )
𝑉2 = √ + 2𝑔𝑧1 ………………………. (iii) Let, Z1=1m, Z2=0, ρ=1000 kgm-3
𝜌

4.1.2 Head loss calculation: V1(velocity)=0,

The head loss due to friction can be calculated from the 2∗(1.4291−1.09671)101325
Darcy-Weisbach equation: 𝑉2 = √ + 2 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 1
1000
𝐿𝑉 2 =√86.9588335 = 9.3251 ms-1
ℎ𝐿 = 𝑓 ……………………………………. (iv)
2𝑔𝐷
5.2 Head loss calculation
𝜌𝑉𝐷 Reynold number fluids using equation (v) we get,
Reynolds number of fluids Re = ……….….. (v)
𝜇 1000∗10.32∗1
Re = =11595505.62
8.90𝑋10−4
Here friction factor, f can be determined by utilizing
So, this is a turbulent flow.
empirical formulas and from Moody’s diagram. Here friction factor, f is determined by utilizing empirical
And also, it can be seen that, head loss depends on friction formulas and from Moody’s diagram.
factor and the relation is, 5.3 Calculation of friction co-efficient using
𝐿𝑉 2 Moody’s diagram
ℎ𝐿 = 𝑓 so, ℎ𝐿 𝛼 𝑓 ………………………...(vi) Head loss for different materials can be shown in this
2𝑔𝐷
order:
So, it can be said that if friction factor increase head loss Steel, mortar lined >cast iron>steel, forged>plastic
will also increase and friction factor clearly depends on
the material we are using. As we can see, plastic has the lowest head loss and
therefore plastic pipes were used for this model
4.1.3 Head loss calculation using empirical
formulas For the plastic pipe
These formulas are used in engineering applications €=0.0025, d=1×103m
when computer programs or spreadsheet calculation € -6
methods are employed. For turbulent flow in a smooth So, relative roughness= d=2.5×10
pipe, a well-known curve fit to the Moody diagram is and Reynold’s number, R=1.159×107
given by:
from Moody’s diagram, f=0.0052
According to Blasius Equation,
f =0.316Re-0.25 ………………………………. .(vii)

5. DETAILED CALCULATION
Let, P2 will be the pressure of the chamber’s surface
pressure.
Let, height of cylindrical portion is 2m. Height of the
cone is 0.5m
Initial Pressure, P1= 1 atm.
Wave Height=0.5m
Height of the Cylinder (air portion), H =1.5 m Figure 3. Moody’s Diagram
Radius of the Cylinder, R=0.5m 5.4 Using empirical formulas
Height of the Cone portion, H =0.5m According to Blasius Equation from (vii) we get,
So, Volume of the cylinder before Compression, f =0.31611595505.62-.25 =5.4152X10-3,
V1 = 𝜋 (0.5)2 1.5=1.1781m3 Which is very slightly greater than the value deducted
Volume of the cylinder after Compression, from Moody’s diagram. So, using the friction factor
value from empirical formula we get,
V2 = 𝜋 (0.5)2 1=0.785m3
Head Loss by using equation (vi),
0.5
Volume of the Cone, v =𝜋 (0.5)2  =0.131m3
3

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1∗10.322
ℎ𝐿 =5.4152X10-3( ) =0.0294251 m
2∗9.81∗1
Now using Bernoulli’s Equation from equation no (iii),
𝑉2 =√86.381 =9.29 ms-1
Flow rate, Q=VA=9.29πr2 [r is the radius of gate-01]
=9.29π (0.1)2 =0.29185 m3/s =291.853 liters/s
5.5 Work done calculation in both chambers
Using equation (ii), volume of the water in both
chambers =0.7854 m3
Centre of the gravity before any water passing of both
chamber=1/2=0.5 m Figure 4. Wave Height vs Pressure in 1st Chamber
Radius of chamber =0.5m
Flow rate =0.29185 m3/s
Let, Flow Time, T=2 s
The amount of the water flowed in 2s
=0.291852=0.5837m3
After passing the water, The Total volume of the water
in the 2nd chamber = (0.7854+0.5837) m3
So, height of the water in 2nd chamber after passing the
𝑉
water is, h= 2
𝜋𝑟
h=1.74 m
Center of the gravity of the added water=0.74/2=0.371m
5.6 Total work done in 1st chamber,
Total Force, F=PA
F = (1.4291-1.0967) 101325π0. 52 =26452.55N Figure 5. Wave Height vs Flow Rate
W=Fh=26452.550.7432 =19659.2685 J
6. EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE:
5.7 Total work done in 2nd chamber
Some steps are taken to avoid the complexity of design
This is equal to potential energy of the transferred water,
and to reduce the cost of setup and overall experiment.
so the new h1= (1+0.371) m (center of the gravity of
So, there are some variances between the experimental
transferred water). Potential energy of the transferred
design and the theoretical design. These are:
water E=mgh1=10000.78549.811.371=7845.91J 1. Only one way of the pipe connecting two chambers,
Here is some energy Loss due to transfer line diameter. as only the forward flow direction was measured.
Table 1: Summary of the calculations: 2. Gates are not used, as only one direction flow is
considered.
Parameters Results Units 3. A water turbine generator is used instead of a spiral
turbine.
Pressure in chamber 1 144803.55 Pa The experiment was conducted in two relative
positions of drum and water chambers: 1) with the
Velocity in gate 1 9.29 ms-1
cylindrical drum and chamber on the same level; and
Head loss 0.0294251 m 2) with the cylindrical drum on the lower side and the
chamber on the upper side. This is due to the fact that
Flow rate 291.85 liters/s in practice, cylinders and drums will maintain distinct
relative locations. So, the flow was calculated in these
Work done in chamber 1 19659.26 Joule two different relative positions. Water compartments
Work done in chamber 2 7845.91 Joule were labeled in liters, and a stopwatch was set up to
record the passage of time. The pressure was created
by pushing a cylindrical drum downwards into the
5.8 Matlab simulation water chambers.
The flow rate was calculated using MATLAB to show It should be mentioned that this device is designed to
how it changed as the wave height changed. Graphs of operate in waves such as those found in the ocean or
this analysis is shown below- river; however, because we did not have access to a
pool with waves, we had to create the pressure in the
drum manually.

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So, the flow rate was measured manually from the
labeled chambers, and we got 5 liters of water flowing
in 16 seconds, so the water flow rate was 5 liters/16 sec
=0.3125 liters/second.
7. EXPERIMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS
We got a water flow of 0.3125 liters/s from the experiment,
but the voltage we recorded with the Voltmeter was relatively
low, approximately 260 mV, which is much lower than we
expected.
One reason is the narrow input path of the turbine we
selected, which results in a low voltage gain at this pressure.
This difficulty could be overcome by replacing the water
turbine generator with a spiral turbine. We built a spiral
turbine but could not utilize it due to setup costs and
difficulties. When we connect this water turbine generator to
a faucet, we can observe a water flow of 0.3 liters/s and a
voltage reading of 7 V in the Voltmeter. In other words, if the
diameter of the inlet were larger, it would be possible to
obtain a voltage of 7V from this system. A chart showing the
relation between flow rate and voltage is given-
Figure 6: Voltage vs Flow-rate
7.1 Comparison with numerical data
In the theoretical study, the water flow rate of 291.853 liters/s
was obtained by using a 1 m long chamber with a 0.5 m radius
and a 0.1 m inlet line radius. In our test, we used a chamber
that was 20 cm high. The ratio, then, was 1:50. When we
multiplied by 50 of our results, we got 15 liters/s, which was
a small number compared to what we found in the theoretical
analysis.
8. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
This study determined the maximum flow rate to be 291.85
liters/s from the mathematical analysis. However, the
experimental flow rate was 0.3125 liters/s, much lower than
expected. In order to understand why there is such a large
disparity between experimental and theoretical results, we
must consider the following factors:
 This experiment was carried out in a still water
environment rather than a dynamic one. We found
that the pressure created inside the air level of the
drum was less than what we predicted in our theory
due to the height difference between the waves in
dynamic water because there were no waves
present in our experiment.
 Using a water turbine generator instead of a spiral
turbine causes some pressure loss.
 Not using a gate in the experiment.
 Narrow transmission pipeline.
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 Pressure drops due to some leakage in the pipe and
chamber/drum connections.
 The cone-shaped upper portion of the theoretical
model prevents pressure. It was missing from the
experimental setup.
If it were possible to test this model in deep sea conditions
and the system was built entirely intact, it would be possible
to achieve theoretical water flow and generate and store
energy using this model.
9. CONCLUSION
In this research, it is found that the efficiency of an oscillating
water column wave energy converter can be increased by
using water-flow-driven turbines. This greater efficiency is
achieved due to using water instead of air to rotate the
turbines. Another outcome of this study is that the model is
easily transportable and won't affect the stability of the
trawler.
The main motive of this research was to find a better energy
solution for fishing vessels. This research worked on
different models and then finalized this one. It will save
money to manufacture and install it in a vessel. This small-
scale experiment cost about $14 and produced nearly 7 volts
for the 0.3125 liters/s water flow. But, there were some
limitations, which are mentioned above. A gate and an
additional pipeline for backward connection will increase
costs. This model could be improved by testing it with
various types of turbines. Additionally, installing
piezoelectric material to this model can improve the amount
of energy produced.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank MARTEC 2022 for allowing us to modify
templates they had developed.
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[3] Rusu, Eugen & Onea, Florin..,”A review of
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[6] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. [7] Youssef, Joseph, Jean Matar, Pierre Rahme,
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