Influence of Active Control Strategy on the Motion Compensation at the Truncated Point of Mooring Line

The maximum predicting error of the commonly used passive truncated mooring system method may reach 30% due to the difference of dynamic characteristics between the truncated and full-depth mooring line. In this paper, the experimental strategy called three-parameter (displacement, velocity and acceleration) active control method at the truncated point of mooring line is established to implement the synchronous equivalent of motion and force, and the realization of active truncated mooring system for model test is studied theoretically. The influences of three-parameter and one-parameter (displacement) active control strategies on the compensation effects are compared by numerical study. The results show that the established three-parameter active control method can feasibly realize the static and dynamic equivalent of truncated and full-depth mooring system, laying a good foundation for the following physical model test of active truncated mooring system.

     

Optimal Design of Equivalent Water Depth Truncated Mooring System Based on Baton Pattern Simulated Annealing Algorithm简

The highest similarity degree of static characteristics including both horizontal and vertical restoring force-displacement characteristics of total mooring system, as well as the tension-displacement characteristics of the representative single mooring line between the truncated and full depth system are obtained by annealing simulation algorithm for hybrid discrete variables （ASFHDV, in short）. A“baton” optimization approach is proposed by utilizing ASFHDV. After each baton of optimization, if a few dimensional variables reach the upper or lower limit, the boundary of certain dimensional variables shall be expanded. In consideration of the experimental requirements, the length of the upper mooring line should not be smaller than 8 m, and the diameter of the anchor chain on the bottom should be larger than 0.03 m. A 100000 t turret mooring FPSO in the water depth of 304 m, with the truncated water depth being 76 m, is taken as an example of equivalent water depth truncated mooring system optimal design and calculation, and is performed to obtain the conformation parameters of the truncated mooring system. The numerical results indicate that the present truncated mooring system design is successful and effective.     

混合模型试验等效水深截断系统优化设计研究

进行了深海海洋平台混合模型等效水深截断系统优化设计试验研究,优化方法选用混合离散变量模拟退火法,目标函数为截断系统和原系统的静力特性相似程度。以一个转塔式系泊浮式生产系统为例进行了等效水深截断系统优化设计计算。     

The deep-water motion through the Lifamatola Passage and its contribution to the Indonesian throughflow

In order to estimate the contribution of cold Pacific deep water to the Indonesian throughflow (ITF) and the flushing of the deep Banda Sea, a current meter mooring has been deployed for nearly 3 years on the sill in the Lifamatola Passage as part of the International Nusantara Stratification and Transport (INSTANT) programme. The velocity, temperature, and salinity data, obtained from the mooring, reflect vigorous horizontal and vertical motion in the lowest 500 m over the ～2000 m deep sill, with speeds regularly surpassing 100 cm/s. The strong residual flow over the sill in the passage and internal, mainly diurnal, tides contribute to this bottom intensified motion. The average volume transport of the deep throughflow from the Maluku Sea to the Seram Sea below 1250 m is 2.5 Sv (1 Sv=10⁶ m³/s), with a transport-weighted mean temperature of 3.2 °C. This result considerably increases existing estimates of the inflow of the ITF into the Indonesian seas by about 25% and lowers the total mean inflow temperature of the ITF to below 13 °C. At shallower levels, between 1250 m and the sea surface, the flow is directed towards the Maluku Sea, north of the passage. The typical residual velocities in this layer are low (～3 cm/s), contributing to an estimated northward flow of 0.9–1.3 Sv. When more results from the INSTANT programme for the other Indonesian passages become available, a strongly improved estimate of the mass and heat budget of the ITF becomes feasible.     

Time domain simulation of side-by-side floating bodies using a 3D numerical wave tank approach

The coupled system of two side-by-side fixed and/or floating bodies interacting with a large amplitude nonlinear wave is studied using a direct time domain solution method. The numerical model is based on a three-dimensional mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian (MEL) method under certain simplifying approximations permitting Rankine panel scheme to be implemented over a time-invariant boundary surface to solve the boundary value problem for the unknown velocity potentials. A 4th order Adams–Bashforth–Moulton scheme is used for time marching of rigid-body motion histories of the individual bodies and evolution of the free-surface including the gap region in which large resonant fluid motions occur. A systematic study has been carried out to evaluate the performance of the developed time domain method in simulating the forces and motions as well as the fluid motion in the gap region for the two body system under various arrangements and in different wave-headings. At first, the computed numerical results have been validated and verified with computational and experimental results available in literature for standard geometries such as vertical truncated cylinders and rectangular boxes. Secondly, effectiveness of the damping lid model which is introduced to suppress wave resonance in the gap region is investigated including its influence on maximum sway forces on fixed and floating rectangular barges in side-by-side configurations. Thirdly, comparative studies on absolute and relative motion response for two cases (two rectangular barges, and a FLNG-FPSO + shuttle tanker) in side-by-side arrangement are detailed to bring out the importance of nonlinearities arising due to steep nonlinear incident waves. Finally, coupled motions of the two-body system of an FPSO and a shuttle tanker floating in side-by-side configuration in a steep nonlinear wave field are studied in which the two bodies are connected through hawsers, and also the FPSO is moored to the ground. Additionally there is a fender between the two bodies.     

A suspended-particle rosette multi-sampler for discrete biogeochemical sampling in low-particle-density waters

To enable detailed investigations of early stage hydrothermal plume formation and abiotic and biotic plume processes we developed a new oceanographic tool. The Suspended Particulate Rosette sampling system has been designed to collect geochemical and microbial samples from the rising portion of deep-sea hydrothermal plumes. It can be deployed on a remotely operated vehicle for sampling rising plumes, on a wire-deployed water rosette for spatially discrete sampling of non-buoyant hydrothermal plumes, or on a fixed mooring in a hydrothermal vent field for time series sampling. It has performed successfully during both its first mooring deployment at the East Pacific Rise and its first remotely-operated vehicle deployments along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is currently capable of rapidly filtering 24 discrete large-water-volume samples (30–100 L per sample) for suspended particles during a single deployment (e.g. >90 L per sample at 4–7 L per minute through 1 μm pore diameter polycarbonate filters). The Suspended Particulate Rosette sampler has been designed with a long-term goal of seafloor observatory deployments, where it can be used to collect samples in response to tectonic or other events. It is compatible with in situ optical sensors, such as laser Raman or visible reflectance spectroscopy systems, enabling in situ particle analysis immediately after sample collection and before the particles alter or degrade.     

Turbidity events observed in situ along the Congo submarine channel

As part of the multidisciplinary programme BIOZAIRE devoted to studying deep-sea benthic ecosystems in the Gulf of Guinea, particulate input and its relationship with near-bottom hydrodynamics were monitored using long-term moorings from 2000 to early 2005. Particular attention was given to material input through the Congo (ex-Zaïre) submarine channel that extends 760 km from the Congo River mouth to the abyssal plain (>5100 m) near 6°S. Due to its direct connection to the Congo River, the Congo canyon and channel system are characterised by particularly active recent sediment transport. During this first in situ long-term monitoring along the channel, an energetic turbidity event was observed in January 2004 at three locations along the channel from 3420 to 4790 m in depth. This event tilted and displaced the moorings installed at 3420 m (site ZR′) and 4070 m (site ZD′), and resulted in high sediment deposition at all three mooring sites. The event moved at an average velocity of 3.5 m s⁻¹ along the numerous channel meanders between 3420 and 4070 m, then at 0.7 m s⁻¹ between 4070 m and the end of the channel at 4790 m. The particle cloud rose above the top of the valley at 4070 m (site ZD′), but not at 3420 m (site ZR′) where the channel was too deep. Lastly, the mooring line broke at site ZD′ in October 2004 probably due to a strong event like that of 2001 previously described by Khripounoff et al. [Khripounoff, A., Vangriesheim, A., Babonneau, N., Crassous, P., Denniellou, B., Savoye, B., 2003. Direct observation of intense turbidity activity in the Zaire submarine valley at 4000 m water depth. Marine Geology (194), 151–158]. Between these strong events, several peaks of high turbidity and particle flux occurred, but without noticeable current increases. These events were probably due to local sliding of sediment accumulated on the walls or terraces on the side of the channel. The area near 4000 m depth and the lobe appear to be the main depocentres of particulate input rich in organic matter derived from the Congo River.     

Observations of the Alaskan Stream near Samalga Pass and its connection to the Bering Sea: 2001–2004

Year-long moorings were deployed across the Alaskan Stream near Samalga Pass (169°W) on two occasions, first in 2001–2002 (5 moorings) and again in 2003–2004 (3 moorings). Currents were measured throughout the water column, and temperature and salinity were measured at selected depths. Satellite altimetry and satellite-tracked drifters revealed a well defined Alaskan Stream, with the largest near-surface average speeds (>60 cm s⁻¹) and highest eddy kinetic energy just upstream from the mooring sites. Excluding periods when large eddies disrupted the flow, transport in the Alaskan Stream ranged from 10 to 30×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹. The estimated mean transport in 2001–2002 was 19×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹, and in 2003–2004 was 21×10⁶ m³ s⁻¹. Large (diameter>200 km), anti-cyclonic eddies were not uncommon in the vicinity of Samalga Pass (14 times in 20 year period, 1992–2012). Although there were no such eddies observed during the period 2000–2003, one of the largest ever recorded eddies occurred in spring 2004. In addition, smaller eddies occurred on several occasions. Eddies disrupted the flow, shifting the Alaskan Stream farther off shore and were clearly evident in both the satellite imagery and the mooring data. Other energetic events, which were less evident in the satellite records, but clearly evident in the mooring measurements, also disrupted the flow. In addition to the moorings in the Alaskan Stream, pressure gauges were placed in Samalga Pass and a single mooring measuring currents was placed in the Aleutian North Slope Current (ANSC) in the Bering Sea. The alongshore, near-surface flow measured at the moorings deployed on the 1000-m isobaths in the Alaskan Stream and the ANSC were significantly correlated with the bottom pressure time series. In addition, at periods longer than 14 days, the bottom pressure measured at the mooring sites in Samalga Pass was significantly correlated with the sea surface height measured by the satellites. The eddy kinetic energies measured from the satellites and from moorings were also significantly correlated.     

考虑平台转动的等效水深截断系泊系统优化设计

等效水深截断是混合模型试验中非常重要的一步,合理的截断方案是模型试验成功的前提。现有的研究大多忽略对平台转动的考虑,该文在静态相似准则的基础上增加对平台转动的考虑,推导了系泊系统回复力和转矩的计算公式,建立了满足静态一致性的目标函数,进而采用粒子群算法进行等效水深截断优化设计。以某深水半潜式平台为例,首先在不考虑转动的情况下对其系泊系统进行等效截断,研究发现截断水深的变化对转矩的优化结果影响较大,从而证明了平台转动是应该考虑的。其次在考虑转动的情况下对系泊系统进行等效截断,通过水动力软件验证所优化的结果,证明该方法的可行性,为后续的等效水深截断优化设计的研究提供参考。     

Total kinetic energy in four global eddying ocean circulation models and over 5000 current meter records

We compare the total kinetic energy (TKE) in four global eddying ocean circulation simulations with a global dataset of over 5000, quality controlled, moored current meter records. At individual mooring sites, there was considerable scatter between models and observations that was greater than estimated statistical uncertainty. Averaging over all current meter records in various depth ranges, all four models had mean TKE within a factor of two of observations above 3500 m, and within a factor of three below 3500 m. With the exception of observations between 20 and 100 m, the models tended to straddle the observations. However, individual models had clear biases. The free running (no data assimilation) model biases were largest below 2000 m. Idealized simulations revealed that the parameterized bottom boundary layer tidal currents were not likely the source of the problem, but that reducing quadratic bottom drag coefficient may improve the fit with deep observations. Data assimilation clearly improved the model-observation comparison, especially below 2000 m, despite assimilated data existing mostly above this depth and only south of 47 °N. Different diagnostics revealed different aspects of the comparison, though in general the models appeared to be in an eddying-regime with TKE that compared reasonably well with observations.     

圆筒型FPSO优化设计与水动力性能分析

针对圆筒型海上储油装置FPSO垂荡运动性能较差、无法安装干式井口的问题,设计了带延伸筒体与矩形阻尼结构的圆筒型FPSO,根据延伸筒体与矩形阻尼结构是否通海分为两种型式。建立水动力计算模型,比较分析不同延伸筒体和阻尼结构型式对FPSO水动力性能的影响。针对南海作业海域,设计了悬链式系泊系统,基于JONSWAP波浪谱对FPSO的运动进行时域预报,并对系泊系统进行校核。分析结果表明:通海型FPSO垂荡固有周期显著提升,可以错开南海百年一遇谱峰周期,通海型FPSO满足钻井、安装干式井口的运动响应要求,系泊系统系缆张力满足规范要求。     

Variations of deep western boundary currents in the Melanesian Basin in the western North Pacific

Five moorings ML1–ML5 were deployed on the slope of the Solomon Rise in the Melanesian Basin in the western North Pacific, northeastward at increasing water depths. We measured the velocities of the western branch current of the deep western boundary current (DWBC) and the upper deep current carrying the Lower and Upper Circumpolar Waters (LCPW, UCPW), respectively. The daily mean velocity data from 1–3 February 1999 to 24–26 February 2000 were analyzed, and variability of the DWBCs was clarified. Although the current meters did not entirely cover the western branch current of the DWBC composed of two or three streams, a stream of the western branch current was observed at a depth of 4700 m at ML4 or 4260 m at ML5 for more than half of the observation period. The stream had a mean velocity of 3.7 cm s⁻¹ and alternated between ML4 and ML5 at 20- to 40-day intervals without occupying both of ML4 and ML5 simultaneously. This shows that the width of the stream is less than 120 km (distance between ML4 and ML5), and the position changes in a similar range. In contrast to the velocity of the eastern branch current of the DWBC, that of the western branch current did not decrease with decreasing depths to 4000 m. This reflects the vertical division into the branch currents by the bifurcation of the DWBC. The western branch current of the DWBC is located at the deep side of the countercurrent which was almost always observed at depths of 3880 and 4080 m at ML3. The countercurrent was thought to be the return flow of the western branch current that is partly reversed in the East Mariana Basin. The previous estimate of geostrophic transport of LCPW at the time of the mooring deployment was corrected to 1.4 Sv (10⁶ m³ s⁻¹) in the western branch current, 1.7 Sv in the countercurrent, and 1.1 Sv in the inflow to the East Caroline Basin. The upper deep current was located over the slope of the Solomon Rise with water depth less than 4500 m including ML1–ML3. It flowed at depths of approximately 2000–3500 m with the highest velocity in the middle of this layer and seldom reached the near-bottom where eddy-like disturbances existed. Its volume transport at the mooring deployment was 10.4 Sv. The upper deep current during the first half of the observation period had double cores divided by the countercurrent at ML1, whereas that during the second half had a single core, as the countercurrent at ML1 disappeared in early September 1999. The vector mean velocities of the upper deep current were 5.0 (2650 m, ML2) and 3.6 cm s⁻¹ (1880 m, ML3) during the first half of the observation period and 7.0 cm s⁻¹ (2670 m, ML1) during the second half; they ranged from 3 to 7 cm s⁻¹. Similarly, those of the countercurrent at ML1 during the first half were 6.4, 3.8, 4.6 cm s⁻¹ (2170, 2670, 3570 m).     

Deep-sea macrofaunal assemblages within the Benthic Boundary Layer of the Cap-Ferret Canyon (Bay of Biscay,NE Atlantic)

The Benthic Boundary Layer (BBL) assemblages from the Cap-Ferret Canyon (Bay of Biscay) were quantitatively sampled at two sites located within its main channel near mooring deployments (Mooring Sites MS 1: ca. 2400 m; MS 2: ca. 3000 m) with a suprabenthic sled equipped with four nets fishing at different heights above the bottom. The macrofaunal abundance above the sea-floor was mainly represented by Isopoda (42.2%), Amphipoda (19.0%), Euphausiacea (17.3%), Cumacea (13.5%), Mysidacea (2.8%) and Tanaidacea (2.6%). At both sampling sites, the highest total densities were generally recorded in the immediate vicinity of the sea floor (10–40 cm water layer), and a drastic decrease occurred higher in the BBL community. The BBL assemblages from the two sampling sites were similar in their faunal composition (major taxa), and their mean density estimates were not statistically different (MS 1 : 525.3 ind. 100 m⁻²; MS 2 : 283.3 ind. m⁻²) although the recorded values during each cruise were always lower at the deeper site. The BBL macrofauna abundance showed obvious temporal fluctuations at both sites, probably linked with a seasonal organic input from the euphotic zone (vertical flux) via phytodetritus deposition on the sea bottom.     

八角形FPSO串靠外输系统耦合动力响应分析

针对100 m作业水深的八角形FPSO,提出采用穿梭油轮串靠的外输方案,研究串靠外输在南海的适用性。建立由八角形FPSO及其系泊系统、穿梭油轮及FPSO与穿梭油轮之间的系泊大缆等组成的浮式多体动力学模型,根据多浮体动力学理论进行耦合时域模拟。在外输海况条件下,分析了串靠连接的环境适应性及研究大缆载荷的响应特性,对连接大缆的长度、刚度等关键参数进行了敏感性分析。研究表明,串靠外输的形式对于八角FPSO具有足够的安全性和可靠性,系泊大缆受到明显的冲击张力,张力的幅值受大缆的长度和刚度影响较大。     

The western Arctic boundary current at 152°W: Structure,variability, and transport

From August 2002 to September 2004 a high-resolution mooring array was maintained across the western Arctic boundary current in the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska. The array consisted of profiling instrumentation, providing a timeseries of vertical sections of the current. Here we present the first-year velocity measurements, with emphasis on the Pacific water component of the current. The mean flow is characterized as a bottom-intensified jet of O (15 cm s⁻¹) directed to the east, trapped to the shelfbreak near 100 m depth. Its width scale is only 10–15 km. Seasonally the flow has distinct configurations. During summer it becomes surface-intensified as it advects buoyant Alaskan Coastal water. In fall and winter the current often reverses (flows westward) under upwelling-favorable winds. Between the storms, as the eastward flow re-establishes, the current develops a deep extension to depths exceeding 700 m. In spring the bottom-trapped flow advects winter-transformed Pacific water emanating from the Chukchi Sea. The year-long mean volume transport of Pacific water is 0.13±0.08 Sv to the east, which is less than 20% of the long-term mean Bering Strait inflow. This implies that most of the Pacific water entering the Arctic goes elsewhere, contrary to expected dynamics and previous modeling results. Possible reasons for this are discussed. The mean Atlantic water transport (to 800 m depth) is 0.047±0.026 Sv, also smaller than anticipated.     

八角形FPSO与穿梭油轮串靠外输中碰撞风险分析

针对300 m作业水深下的八角形FPSO,提出采用穿梭油轮串靠的外输作业方案,研究外输过程中穿梭油轮与FPSO之间由于过分纵荡运动而引起的碰撞风险发生概率。建立由八角形FPSO及其系泊系统、穿梭油轮、系泊大缆等组成的浮式多体系统分析模型,在外输海况条件下,得到穿梭油轮与FPSO间距的时历曲线,结合极值理论,对过分纵荡运动进行预报,进而对外输系统的碰撞风险进行分析;揭示海流的方向变化对于外输系统碰撞风险的影响规律。     

Water column structure and statistics of Denmark Strait Overflow Water cyclones

Data from seven moorings deployed across the East Greenland shelfbreak and slope 280 km downstream of Denmark Strait are used to investigate the characteristics and dynamics of Denmark Strait Overflow Water (DSOW) cyclones. On average, a cyclone passes the mooring array every other day near the 900 m isobath, dominating the variability of the boundary current system. There is considerable variation in both the frequency and location of the cyclones on the slope, but no apparent seasonality. Using the year-long data set from September 2007 to October 2008, we construct a composite DSOW cyclone that reveals the average scales of the features. The composite cyclone consists of a lens of dense overflow water on the bottom, up to 300 m thick, with cyclonic flow above the lens. The azimuthal flow is intensified in the middle and upper part of the water column and has the shape of a Gaussian eddy with a peak depth-mean speed of 0.22 m/s at a radius of 7.8 km. The lens is advected by the mean flow of 0.27 m/s and self propagates at 0.45 m/s, consistent with the topographic Rossby wave speed and the Nof speed. The total translation velocity along the East Greenland slope is 0.72 m/s. The self-propagation speed exceeds the cyclonic swirl speed, indicating that the azimuthal flow cannot kinematically trap fluid in the water column above the lens. This implies that the dense water anomaly and the cyclonic swirl velocity are dynamically linked, in line with previous theory. Satellite sea surface temperature (SST) data are investigated to study the surface expression of the cyclones. Disturbances to the SST field are found to propagate less quickly than the in situ DSOW cyclones, raising the possibility that the propagation of the SST signatures is not directly associated with the cyclones.     

软刚臂单点系泊系统静力特性分析

软刚臂系泊系统是一种利用压载质量为浮式生产储油装置(FPSO)提供回复力的单点系泊方式。为快速准确地评估多铰接组成的软刚臂系统的受力状态,避免应用高复杂度的有限元软件,进而快速完成优化设计等任务,建立一种静力计算方法十分有必要。因此,针对由刚臂(YOKE)、柔性系泊腿和压载舱组成的刚柔多体系统,以分解组合的方式,提出一种二维静力计算方法,用以研究FPSO软刚臂系泊系统的静力特性。该方法主要依靠软刚臂的几何构型,在有限铰接约束下,形成非线性静力平衡方程,建立了压载舱式水上软刚臂单点系泊系统二维静力平衡计算算法。采用OrcaFlex、SESAM等软件开展了理论和数值对比分析,同时与系泊试验结果开展验证分析。对比结果表明,文中所提方法计算精度较高,可为软刚臂单点系泊系统的研究提供可靠支持。     

Seasonal variation of diel vertical migration of zooplankton from ADCP backscatter time series data in the Lazarev Sea,Antarctica

Ten-month time series of mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS) and vertical velocity obtained from three moored acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) deployed from February until December 2005 at 64°S, 66.5°S and 69°S along the Greenwich Meridian were used to analyse the diel vertical zooplankton migration (DVM) and its seasonality and regional variability in the Lazarev Sea. The estimated MVBS exhibited distinct patterns of DVM at all three mooring sites. Between February and October, the timing of the DVM and the residence time of zooplankton at depth were clearly governed by the day–night rhythm. Mean daily cycles of the ADCP-derived vertical velocity were calculated for successive months and showed maximum ascent and descent velocities of 16 and –15 mm s^?1. However, a change of the MVBS pattern occurred in late spring/early austral summer (October/November), when the zooplankton communities ceased their synchronous vertical migration at all three mooring sites. Elevated MVBS values were then concentrated in the uppermost layers (<50 m) at 66.5°S. This period coincided with the decay of sea ice coverage at 64°S and 66.5°S between early November and mid-December. Elevated chlorophyll concentrations, which were measured at the end of the deployment, extended from 67°S to 65°S and indicated a phytoplankton bloom in the upper 50 m. Thus, we propose that the increased food supply associated with an ice edge bloom caused the zooplankton communities to cease their DVM in favour of feeding.     

Seasonal variability of primary production in the Cap-Ferret Canyon area (Bay of Biscay) during the ECOFER cruises

Primary production measurements were carried out during the five ECOFER cruises, in order to estimate the autochtonous contribution to particulate fluxes collected at two mooring sites, in the Cap-Ferret Canyon, from June 1989 to August 1991. Primary production rates are reported in relation to levels of chlorophyll and nitrogenous nutrients in the euphotic zone. Except in early spring, the water column remains stratified until the beginning of autumn surface-water cooling. During the stratified period, maximal chlorophyll concentrations were recorded at the bottom of the photic zone, near the 1% light depth, close to the nitracline; concentrations in some profiles were greater than those measured in surface waters during the early spring bloom. From June to October, a mean daily production of 0.4 g C m⁻² may be used to estimate particulate fluxes, because the recorded variability was low. During April and May, mean daily production rates can be about 3–4 times higher. Extrapolation of our data gives an estimate of yearly production from 145 to 170 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹. The possibility of greater production rates, under stratified conditions, is discussed taking into account the occurrence of changes in the depth of the chlorophyll maximum during the day; such vertical movements could be caused by internal waves, particularly at the shelf break.