Hydraulic Performances of Current Generation System in the New Deepwater Offshore Basin

The state-of-the-art deepwater offshore basin is presently under construction at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Its current generation system is considered as one of the most challenging and crucial equipments in the basin. Hydraulic performances of the current generation system in the new deepwater offshore basin are investigated using both CFD and experimental methods. 3D numerical models are applied and calculated. Besides a 1:10 scaled model test is also carried out to validate the numerical simulation. Uniformities of the flow field in the basin, including horizontal and vertical current profiles with various mean values are studied in detail. In addition turbulence levels are also analyzed. Satisfactory agreements can be achieved between numerical calculation and model test. It is concluded that hydraulic performances of current generation system in the new basin can satisfy the requirements of model tests in deepwater. Uniform and constant current field can be obtained in measuring area. Besides various typical vertical current profiles in deep water, including uniform profiles and sheared profiles etc. can be modeled. And suggestions are also presented which will be helpful instructions for the design and operation of the new deepwater offshore basin.