Computational analysis of vortex-induced vibration and its potential in energy harvesting

In order to investigate the viability to extract energy from fluid-structure interaction as the result of aeroelastic instability, we numerically compute the canonical problem of flow past a circular cylinder. The structure is modeled as elastically mounted, supported by linear spring and damper, where it is allowed to move in transverse direction only. The fluid flow is governed by non-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. A 3D parallel CFD solver is used and the simulations of vortex-induced vibrations are accomplished on supercomputer clusters. The comparative analysis for maximum oscillating amplitude is accomplished with already existing studies where the experimental results are considered as benchmark. Here, the highest peak response amplitudes are good indication from the aspect of output power generation. To investigate nonlinear response characterization of dynamical system, we examine the presence of limit cycle oscillations by frequency analysis of fluid and structure. For the evaluation of scavenging power, the open loop energy harvesting potential is calculated through output power and voltage variation with cylinder's amplitude. This study can assist in developing flow control to move the amplitude response curve and to identify the synchronization region with the motivation of energy exploration.