Numerical modelling of oscillating flow for energy harvesting

Abstract

The energy efficiency of systems, equipment, and sensors is nowadays intensively studied. The new generation of microelectronic sensors is very sophisticated and the energy consumption is in the microwatts range. The energy to power the microelectronic devices can be harvested from oscillating flow in small size channels and so replaceable batteries could be eliminated. Piezoelectric elements can convert energy from oscillation to electrical energy. This paper focuses on the simulation of periodic flow in the fluidic oscillator. CFD simulations were performed for several values of the flow rate. Experimental measurement was carried out under the same conditions as the CFD experiment. The main monitored and evaluated parameters were volume flow rate and pressure loss. Fluid oscillations were analysed based on CFD simulations and the theoretical maximum energy available for the deformation of piezoelectric elements and transformable into electrical energy was evaluated.