Basic Study on Development of Vertical Mixing Devices as a Floating Body

Abstract

The final goal of this study is to develop a floating device for improvement of the sea environment in a semi-enclosed bay, which is driven by renewable wave energy. As a first step of such a study, under the assumption that the floating device was fixed to the water surface, various cross sections of the floating device were examined to find out an effective cross section for vertical mixing of sea water in comparatively deep sea. The major driving force of a device for vertical mixing of sea water is the piston mode wave motions in the water chamber located at the center of the body. Additional functions of the device, such as dissipations of reflected and transmitted waves were also examined. It was found out that the asymmetry cross section with a horizontal connecting channel only in offshore side to a vertical water chamber was most effective.