A simple SPH model of a free surface water wave pump: Waves above a submerged plate

In this work, the SPH method is used in 2D to evaluate the pump characteristics of free surface water waves above a submerged plate. The configuration considered here consists of an infinite wave train reaching a rectangular plate of length and thickness submerged under the undisturbed water level. The numerical method is validated against experimental results with good agreement. The mean Eulerian mass flux is evaluated in the simulation and outlines the importance of the wave mass transport in the circulation around the submerged plate. It is observed an increase of the mass flux in the surface layer (wave mass transport) as predicted by the water waves linear theory. The incident wave frequency and height are varied and the flow rate is evaluated and compared to the linear model. To study the pump response, a gate valve is placed at the center position under the submerged plate. The fully open gate configuration corresponds to the experimental case. Pump curves are provided. The maximum dynamic pressure efficiency is evaluated to be for the present configuration.