• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.1057-1058
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• 2010

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-38
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• 2017

In real sea environments, excessive dynamic axial tension variations can be exerted on the top-tensioned risers (TTRs) and lead to structural integrity issues. The traditional riser-tension-variation analysis, however, by using parametric formulation is only conditionally valid under certain strict limits and potentially underestimates the total magnitudes of tension variations. This phenomenon is especially important for the long stroke tensioner in dry-tree semisubmersible with larger global heave motion and longer stroke. In this paper, the hydro-pneumatic tensioner (HPT) is modeled in detailed component-level which includes a set of hydraulic and pneumatic components. The viscous fluid frictional effect in the HPT is considered. The main objectives are (i) to develop a detailed tension variation model of the HPT; (ii) to identify the deviations between the conventional parametric formulation and component-level formulation; (iii) to numerically analyze the tension variation of long stroke tensioner in a dry-tree semisubmersible (DTS). The results demonstrate the necessity of component-level formulation for long stroke tensioner in the development of DTS.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.225-246
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• 2017

Excessive dynamic-tension variations on the top-tensioned risers (TTRs) deteriorate the structural integrity and cause potential safety hazards. This phenomenon has become more remarkable in the development of deep-water fields with harsher environmental loads. The conventional prediction method of tension variations in hydro-pneumatic tensioner (HPT) has the disadvantage to underestimate the magnitude of cyclic loads. The actual excessive dynamic tension variations are larger when considering the viscous frictional fluid effects. In this paper, a suppression method of tension variations in HPT is modeled by incorporating the magneto-rheological (MR) damper and linear-force actuator. The mathematical models of the combined HPT and MR damper are developed and a force-control scheme is introduced to compensate the excessive tension variations on the riser tensioner ring. Numerical simulations and analyses are conducted to evaluate the suppression of tension variations in HPT under both regular- and irregular-wave conditions for a drilling riser of a tensioned-leg platform (TLP). The results show that significant reduction of tension variations can be achieved by introducing the proposed system. This research has provided a theoretical foundation for the HPT tension control and related structural protection.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.101-118
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• 2018

In case of conventional shallow-draft semisubmersibles, unacceptably large riser stroke was the restricting factor for dry-tree-riser-semisubmersible development. Many attempts to address this issue have focused on using larger draft and size with extra heave-damping plates, which results in a huge cost increase. The objective of this paper is to investigate an alternative solution by improving riser systems through the implementation of a magneto-rheological damper (MR Damper) so that it can be used with moderate-size/draft semisubmersibles. In this regard, MR-damper riser systems and connections are numerically modeled so that they can couple with hull-mooring time-domain simulations. The simulation results show that the moderate-size semisubmersible with MR damper system can be used with conventional dry-tree pneumatic tensioners by effectively reducing stroke-distance even in the most severe (1000-yr) storm environments. Furthermore, the damping level of the MR damper can be controlled to best fit target cases by changing input electric currents. The reduction in stroke allows smaller topside deck spacing, which in turn leads to smaller deck and hull. As the penalty of reducing riser stroke by MR damper, the force on the MR-damper can significantly be increased, which requires applying optimal electric currents.