Modeling and simulation of an open channel PEHF system for efficient PVDF energy harvesting

Abstract

In this work, an attempt has been made to harvest energy from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric material using fluid flow in an open channel system. Piezoelectric energy harvesting using fluid flow (PEHF) experimental model has been designed and the outputs obtained are compared with results obtained from simulations using ANSYS (computational fluid dynamics) and also with the mathematical modeling. The PEHF model has been utilized to analyze the effect of flow rate of water with reference to energy extracted. The full wave bridge rectifier circuit has been used to obtain the direct current (DC) from the PEHF model. It is observed that the output obtained using experiments holds good in agreement with the results retrieved through simulations and mathematical results. It is also observed that the increase in flow rate of fluid leads to increase in output of PEHF model. ANFIS is also used for the prediction of further results.