Abstract
Floating offshore structures (FOS) must be designed to be stable, to float, and to be able to support other structures for which they were designed. These FOS are needed for different transfer operations in oil terminals. However, water waves affect the motion response of floating buoys. Under normal sea states, the free-floating buoy presents stable periodic responses. However, when moored, they are kept in position. Mooring configurations used to moor buoys in single point mooring (SPM) terminals could require systems such as Catenary Anchor Leg Moorings (CALM) and Single Anchor Leg Moorings (SALM). The CALM buoys are one of the most commonly-utilised type of offshore loading terminal. Due to the wider application of CALM buoy systems, it is necessary to investigate the fluid structure interaction (FSI) and vortex effect on the buoy. In this study, a numerical investigation is presented on a CALM buoy model conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS Fluent version R2 2020. Some hydrodynamic definitions and governing equations were presented to introduce the model. The results presented visualize and evaluate specific motion characteristics of the CALM buoy with emphasis on the vortex effect. The results of the CFD study present a better understanding of the hydrodynamic parameters, reaction characteristics and fluid-structure interaction under random waves.
Highlights
In recent times, the most commonly-utilised type of offshore loading terminal is the Catenary Anchor-Leg Mooring (CALM)
Due to the waves generated on the buoy, there was some ripple effect from viscous damping on the buoy
It was noticed that there was a higher vortex flow on the buoy under a higher velocity profile, which is attributed to contributions from linear and quadratic damping from the buoy motion responses in the heave, roll and pitch motions
Summary
The most commonly-utilised type of offshore loading terminal is the Catenary Anchor-Leg Mooring (CALM). As a result, studying the motions of the CALM buoy in mild, squall and severe wave conditions is extremely important [10–13], as they influence hose mechanics [14–19]. Bunnik et al [40] covered experimental work conducted to obtain insight into the tension variations in the mooring lines and export risers of a CALM buoy through a series of model studies. Theoretical Model The theories on the hydrodynamics and statics for CALM buoy with attached hoses is presented
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
