Analysis of Buoyancy Module Auxiliary Installation Technology Based on Numerical Simulation

作者：Xu, Songsen; Jiao, Chunshuo; Ning, Meng; Dong, Sheng^*

来源：Journal of Ocean University of China, 2018, 17(2): 267-280.

DOI：10.1007/s11802-018-3305-4

• buoyancy module
• subsea production system
• rope tension
• disturbance
• floating-up velocity
• drag parachute
• pop-up distance

To reduce the requirement for lifting capacity and decrease the hoist cable force during the descending and laying process of a subsea production system (SPS), a buoyancy module auxiliary installation technology was proposed by loading buoyancy modules on the SPS to reduce the lifting weight. Two models are established, namely, the SPS lowering-down model and the buoyancy module floating-up model. The main study results are the following: 1) When the buoyancy module enters the water under wave condition, the amplitude of tension fluctuation is twice that when SPS enters water; 2) Under current condition, the displacement of SPS becomes three times larger because of the existence of the buoyancy module; 3) After being released, the velocity of the buoyancy module increases to a large speed rapidly and then reaches a balancing speed gradually. The buoyancy module floats up at a balancing speed and rushes out from the water at a pop-up distance; 4) In deep water, the floating-up velocity of the buoyancy module is related to its mass density and shape, and it is not related to water depth; 5) A drag parachute can reduce floating-up velocity and pop-up distance effectively. Good agreement was found between the simulation and experiment results.

• 出版日期2018-4
• 单位中国海洋大学