TEAMER: Biofouling Analysis for Wave Energy Piston Design - Load Cell Data
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Biofouling and corrosion are a major concern for all ocean-deployed components, especially when mechanical motion is involved. Triton has developed the concept of a biofouling mitigation seal as part of the piston sealing assembly for the Triton Wave Energy Converter (TSI-WEC). This mitigation seal has the purpose of preventing the formation of a biofilm on the inside of the piston cylinder. It is hypothesized that the prevention of a biofilm will reduce the amount of macro-biofouling that can occur in the piston assembly. The mitigation seal can also reduce the wear on the main dynamic seal, helping to maintain smooth operation and water-tightness. The cylinder is made from a thermoset composite epoxy, which is resistant to corrosion. However, no studies have researched the material's performance with biofouling. Triton placed two prototype Power Take-Off (PTO) assemblies in a PNNL biofouling tank, one with a biofouling mitigation seal and one without, allowing for an evaluation of seal effectiveness at the prevention of biofouling. In actual WEC operation, wave action would react against the piston, which would drive the linear actuator and electric generator, providing electrical power. In the test setup, this was reversed; a linear actuator was powered to drive the piston in a consistent motion within the cylinder. There are two assemblies: one has a biofouling mitigation seal, the other (control) does not. The following data encompasses a 4 month test period, with load cells being used to monitor piston friction force. Results from this testing will be used to improve seal design and material selection, mitigating risk of premature failure during open water testing and evaluation. This project is part of the TEAMER RFTS 3 (request for technical support) program.
生物污损（biofouling）与腐蚀是所有海洋部署部件面临的主要难题，在涉及机械运动的场景中尤为突出。Triton公司开发了生物污损缓解密封（biofouling mitigation seal）方案，将其作为Triton波能转换器（Triton Wave Energy Converter, TSI-WEC）的活塞密封组件的一部分。该生物污损缓解密封旨在防止活塞缸内壁形成生物膜（biofilm）。研究假设，抑制生物膜的形成可减少活塞组件中可能出现的大型生物污损（macro-biofouling）。此外，该密封装置还可降低主动态密封件的磨损，有助于维持设备的平稳运行与水密性能。该活塞缸由耐腐蚀的热固性复合环氧树脂制成，但目前尚无针对该材料在生物污损环境下性能的相关研究。Triton公司将两套原型动力输出（Power Take-Off, PTO）装置放置于PNNL生物污损试验池中，一套搭载生物污损缓解密封装置，另一套作为对照组未搭载该密封件，以此评估密封装置对生物污损的抑制效果。在实际波能转换器（WEC）运行场景中，波浪作用力会作用于活塞，带动直线执行器与发电机运转，从而产生电能。而本次试验装置的运行逻辑恰好相反：通过供电驱动直线执行器，带动活塞在缸体内做往复运动。本次试验共设置两套装置：一套搭载生物污损缓解密封装置，另一套作为对照组未搭载该密封件。本次数据集涵盖了为期4个月的试验数据，试验过程中通过测力传感器（load cells）监测活塞的摩擦力。本次试验所得结果将用于优化密封装置的设计与材料选型，降低开放水域试验与评估过程中出现过早失效的风险。本项目隶属于TEAMER RFTS 3（技术支持请求）计划。
