Numerical study on the reduction effect of sloshing phenomenon and energy harvesting using a flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

• This study introduces flexible perforated baffles made of piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) material to simultaneously mitigate sloshing and harvest energy in ship tanks. • Experimental and numerical analyses using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method confirm the effectiveness of PENG-based baffles, which is an energy harvester, in reducing sloshing amplitude and converting fluid energy into electrical power. • The dual functionality of flexible baffles enables both sloshing suppression and energy harvesting, providing a sustainable power source for maritime applications. • Numerical results using the SPH method exhibit strong agreement with experimental data, validating the approach's reliability. • The findings highlight the potential of PENG integrated baffles for real-world ocean engineering applications, enhancing both ship stability and energy efficiency. Herein, this study explores the use of a flexible piezoelectric device (piezoelectric nanogenerator; PENG) to reduce sloshing motions and harvest electric power from fluid energy, addressing the growing demand for green energy solutions. Through experimental and numerical analyses using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), the research demonstrates the effectiveness of flexible perforated baffles in reducing sloshing energy, achieving a kinetic energy reduction of 76.42% for the 3 × 3 configuration and 71.33% fort the 4 × 4 configuration, while also reducing potential energy by 45.20% and 33.51% respectively. Furthermore, the systems enable energy conversion with a maximum power output of 145 mW/m 3 for flexible perforated baffles a 3 × 3 configuration and 108.1 mW/m 3 for a 4 × 4 configuration. Integrating PENG material into the baffle structure highlights its dual functionality for sloshing suppression and energy harvesting, offering a promising solution for maritime environments. The findings underscore the potential of this innovative approach to enhance energy efficiency and structural stability. Future studies will aim to further optimize flexible baffle designs and explore real-world applications to improved performance and durability.

Access to Document

Other files and links

• Link to publication in Scopus
• Open Access Version Available

Fingerprint