Wave Power Potential: Calculating Energy Output

[deckart]

Ocean waves are a bit random in frequency and amplitude so I'm just trying lock down a simple scenario to get an idea of the energy potential. Physics math, I know very little.

Let's say we have a steady wave pattern that lifts 10,000 lbs one foot every 2 seconds. Convert to that to an energy unit, like, horsepower. Can someone give me a formula I can work with for that?

I'm actually designing a wave powered generator but my specialty is in the hydraulic side of the project.

Thanks, and if you're interested in the project, message me.

 

[anorlunda]

1 horsepower is 550 foot pound per second.

There are many wave power projects past and present. A common difficulty is durability. The ocean surface is a harsh environment.

 

[Merlin3189]

The same as in hydraulics. Simply equate work and energy.

 

[deckart]

Yep, it is harsh. A block of foam is pretty resilient. The power generation is land based as opposed to having the equipment on the ocean. Just a buoy being lifted for this one.

So, 550 / 2, 10,000 lbs / 225 = 44.4 hp ?

 

[deckart]

With this formula I found here: http://www.iprocessmart.com/techsmart/formulas.htm
HP =

Where F = Force (lbs)
V = Velocity (ft/min)

Moving 10,000 lbs 1 ft every 2 seconds, 30 ft/min, I get:
(10,000 lbs x 30 ft/min) / 33,000 = 9.09 HP

aslo

HP = 550 lbs/ft/sec
10,000 lbs / 2 sec = 5000 lbs/sec
(5000 lbs/sec)/550 = 9.09 HP

What is cool about my device is that I'll also capture that 10,000 lb dropping at the same frequency but that side will not be as efficient. But, if I can get 50-60% of that, that will add 9.09 x .5 to the energy potential. Roughly, 15 HP. 15 HP being my target!

 

[CWatters]

Let's say we have a steady wave pattern that lifts 10,000 lbs one foot every 2 seconds. Convert to that to an energy unit, like, horsepower. Can someone give me a formula I can work with for that?

Sorry I prefer to work in SI units..

Power (Watts) = mgh/t

where
m is the mass in kg = 4536 kg
g = 9.8m/s/s
h is the height in meters = 0.61m
t is the time = 2 seconds

Power = 4536 * 9.8 * 0.61/2 = 13,558W

If you want that in HP then

750w = 1HP
13558 / 750 = 18HP

 

[deckart]

That is twice the HP I come up with. Are we combining the energy up AND down?

I'm using HP because that is the unit I'm familiar with when working with the hydraulic side.

 

[CWatters]

I made a mistake. 0.61m is two feet not one foot. So we get same answer.