Model Tests With the HVS Semisubmersible for Dry Tree Application

The global hull motion performance of the HVS semisubmersible for dry tree application is investigated with model tests. The HVS semisubmersible, which has been validated for low heave motion and VIM (Vortex Induced Motion) response, was modified for dry tree application. As a base case, the modification includes a keel plate with riser keel guides at the level of the pontoons. The keel plate is optimally designed to increase the hull heave period to compensate for the heave period reduction in the HVS semisubmersible due to the riser tensioners for the dry tree application. The plate also provides additional viscous damping that decreases the heave response at the heave natural period. The model tests were performed to investigate the in-place hull motion performance for the Gulf of Mexico environmental conditions. The pneumatic riser tensioners were modeled using a spring with dual stiffness. Because of the water depth limit in the wave basin, a truncated mooring was used to simulate the full scale prototype mooring system. An alternate modification to the HVS semisubmersible that includes pontoon plates was also tested and the measured response was compared to the response of the base case. The measured hull responses were correlated with MLTSIM, a Technip in-house nonlinear time-domain 6-DOF motion analysis program.

Trajectory Tracking of Underactuated Surface Vessels Based on Hierarchical Sliding Mode

Trajectory tracking is an importance practice in ship motion control field. It attracts more attention recently due to its difficulties. Trajectory tracking requires the ship to arrive pinpoint location at exact time. It is a underactuated system because the degrees of freedom of control inputs are fewer than the degrees of freedom that needed to be controlled. In this paper, a hierarchical sliding mode controller and a common sliding mode controller are proposed to deal with the trajectory tracking problem of underactuated surface vessels. Simulation results validate the tracking performance of the proposed controllers. The closed-loop stability is testified by the Lyapunov stability theorem.

Thruster and FPSO Hull Interaction

A hybrid method which couples a Vortex-Lattice Method (VLM) solver and a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver is applied to simulate the interaction between a Dynamic Positioning (DP) thruster and an FPSO hull. The hybrid method could significantly reduce the number of cells to fifth of that in a full blown RANS simulation and thus greatly enhance the computational efficiency. The numerical results are first validated with available experimental data, and then used to assess the significance of the thruster/hull interaction in DP systems.

Theoretical Study on Hydroelastic Responses of Very Large Floating Structures Near Islands and Reefs

In order to explore the fishery, oil and gas, and tourism resources in the ocean, Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) can be deployed near islands and reefs as a logistic base with various functions such as a floating harbor, accommodation, fishery processing, oil and gas exploration, environment surveillance, airplane landing and taking off, etc. However, in addition to the complicated hydroelastic coupling effects between the hydrodynamic loads and structural dynamic responses, when tackling the hydroelastic problems of floating structures deployed near islands and reefs, several other environmental effects and numerical techniques should be taken into account: 1) The influences of the non-uniform incident waves (multi-directions, different wave frequencies); 2) Complex seabed profile and its impact on the incident waves; 3) Nonlinear second order wave exciting forces in the complex mooring system, shallow water and coral reef geological conditions; 4) Parallel computing technology and fast solving methods for the large scale linear equations, accounting for the influence of dramatic increase of number of meshes to the computation efforts and efficiency. In the present paper the theoretical investigation on the hydroelastic responses of VLFS deployed near islands and reefs has been presented. In addition, based on the pulsating source Green function, the high performance parallel fast computing techniques and other numerical methods, in solving large scale linear equations, have been introduced in the three-dimensional hydroelastic analysis package THAFTS. The motions, wave loads, distortions and stresses can be calculated using the present theoretical model and the results can be used in the design and safety assessment of VLFS.

Experimental Investigation vs Numerical Simulation of the Dynamic Response of a Moored Floating Structure to Waves

A combined numerical/theoretical investigation of a moored floating structure response to incoming waves is presented. The floating structure consists of three bodies, equipped with fenders, joined by elastic cables. The system is also moored to the seabed with eight mooring lines. This corresponds to an actual configuration of a floating structure used as a multipurpose platform for hosting wind-turbines, aquaculture farms or wave-energy converters. The dynamic wave response is investigated with numerical simulations in regular and irregular waves, showing a good agreement with experiments in terms of time histories of pitch, heave and surge motions as well as of the mooring line forces. To highlight the dynamical behavior of this complex configuration, the proper orthogonal decomposition is used for extracting the principal modes by which the moored structure oscillates in waves giving further insights about the way waves excites the structure.

Harmonic Analysis on Low Quality Tidal Data

The aim of the study is to devise a method to conservatively predict a tidal power generation based on relatively short current profile measurement data sets. Harmonic analysis on a low quality tidal current profile measurement data set only allowed for the reliable estimation of a limited number of constituents leading to a poor prediction of tidal energy yield. Two novel, but very different approaches were taken: firstly a quasi response function is formulated which combines the currents profiles into a single current. Secondly, a three dimensional vectorial tidal forcing model was developed aiming to support the harmonic analysis with upfront knowledge of the actual constituents. The response based approach allowed for a reasonable prediction. The vectorial tidal forcing model proved to be a viable start for a full featuring numerical model; even in its initial simplified form it could provide more insight than the conventional tidal potential models.

Semi-Submersible Gravity Based Hybrid Structure: An Alternative to Jacket and Topside Platforms

The aim of this research is to present the result from a case study comparing a semi-submersible gravity based hybrid structure and a jacket topside structure for two offshore wind farm converter station projects. The cases are analyzed from a transportation and installation perspective. Converter stations enable the conversion from alternating to direct current, more efficiently bringing generated wind energy to shore. Out of the project process phases e.g. planning, engineering, fabrication, transport, installation and commissioning; transportation and installation are two of the most demanding during offshore platform projects. The weight and size of an offshore platform require specialized equipment, vessels and marine contractors’ expertise to be transported and installed. The risks associated with transportation and installation (T&I) operations are related to health, safety and environment, and T&I operations are also sensitive to any disturbance e.g. accidents and delays. Many interdependencies between disciplines in the project execution process may result in consequential and immediate impact, should an activity not follow the plan and thus the risk of cost overruns increases. In an attempt to circumvent risks related to heavy lifts offshore and consequently mitigate the corresponding risks, a new platform concept has been developed a Norwegian EPC–company and a Swiss converter station manufacturer, a semi-submersible gravity based hybrid, SSGBH. The subjects presented in this paper include the general principles of the SSGBH concept and in what way risk associated with T&I operations are reduced. This paper present the platform concepts, data gathered from interviews, archival data and direct observations. Their pros and cons are presented in an objective way, while concluding that platform concepts of this kind are and should be highly customized, as should the concept selection.

A Numerical Study on Stratified Shear Layers With Relevance to Oil-Boom Failure

Interface dynamics of two-phase flow, with relevance for leakage of oil retained by mechanical oil barriers, is studied by means of a 2D lattice-Boltzmann method combined with a phase-field model for interface capturing. A Multi-Relaxation-Time (MRT) model of the collision process is used to obtain a numerically stable model at high Reynolds-number flow. In the phase-field model, the interface is given a finite but small thickness where the fluid properties vary continuosly across a thin interface layer. Surface tension is modelled as a volume force in the transition layer. The numerical model is implemented for simulations with the graphic processing unit (GPU) of a desktop PC. Verification tests of the model are presented. The model is then applied to simulate gravity currents (GC) obtained from a lock-exchange configuration, using fluid parameters relevant for those of oil and water. Interface instability phenomena are observed, and obtained numerical results are in good agreement with theory. This work demonstrates that the numerical model presented can be used as a numerical tool for studies of stratified shear flows with relevance to oil-boom failure.

Hydrodynamic Performance of a Novel Free Surface Pitching Breakwater

A new concept floating breakwater was developed and tested to evaluate its hydrodynamic performance in this paper. This innovative floating breakwater has a rocking body shape which could also be used as a wave power device. A scale model was tested in a wave flume under regular and irregular wave conditions for various combinations of wave frequencies and wave heights. The breakwater has been tested for three immersion depths of 0.05 m, 0.09 m and 0.13 m from still water level. The measured transmitted and reflected waves were used to evaluate the coefficients of transmission (CT), reflection (CR) and dissipation (CL). The results illustrated that the breakwater model performed at its best when submerged at 0.13m, as this immersion depth produced lower coefficients of transmission (CT), lower reflection coefficients (CR) and higher energy dissipation (CL) coefficients. The comparison between regular and irregular waves produced similar ranges of transmission, reflection and energy coefficients.

From Single Point Gauge to Spatio-Temporal Measurement of Ocean Waves: Prospects and Perspectives

With the recent advancement of spatial measurements of ocean waves, we are clearly facing new challenges regarding how to handle an expanded new data system when it becomes widely available. In this paper we wish to present a preliminary attempt at confronting these prospects. Because the data is still very limited at present and also conceptually new, it’s a new, unfamiliar, and unrelenting world to pursue. We need a paradigm shift away from our familiar single-point conceptualization in order to effective approach the new world of truly spatial ocean waves.