Effects of vessel-pipe coupled dynamics on the discharged CO2 behavior for CO2 sequestration

This study examines the behaviors and properties of discharged liquid CO₂ from a long elastic pipe moving with a vessel for the oceanic CO₂ sequestration by considering pipe dynamics and vessel motions. The coupled vessel-pipe dynamic analysis for a typical configuration is done in the frequency and time domain using the ORCAFLEX program. The system's characteristics, such as vessel RAOs and pipe-axial-velocity transfer function, are identified by applying a broadband white noise wave spectrum to the vessel-pipe dynamic system. The frequency shift of the vessel's RAO due to the encounter-frequency effect is also investigated through the system identification method. Additionally, the time histories of the tip-of-pipe velocities, along with the corresponding discharged droplet size and Weber numbers, are generated for two different sea states. The comparison between the stiff non-oscillating pipe with the flexible oscillating pipe shows the effect of the vessel and pipe dynamics to the discharged CO₂ droplet size and Weber number. The pipe's axial-mode resonance is the leading cause of the fluctuation of the discharged CO₂ properties. The significant variation of the discharged CO₂ properties observed in this study shows the importance of considering the vessel-pipe motions when designing oceanic CO₂ sequestration strategy, including suitable sequestration locations, discharge rate, towing speed, and sea states.