Application of Wave Devouring Propulsion Technology to Support Positioning of Floating Structure

It becomes one of the key issues to reduce capacity of generators for the dynamic positioning (DP) system on offshore structures for the reduction of Green House Gas emission. For the purpose, to decrease environmental forces, wave, wind and current forces, are very important for the DP system design. One of the concepts to reduce wave forces is the “wave devouring propulsion technology” (WDPT) installed vessels. WDPT employs wings attached to the vessel and they produce thrust in waves as a propulsor of vessel. WDPT concept seems to be applicable for offshore structures. In this paper, application of WDPT for three-column type offshore structure is experimentally investigated. Flat plate type wings are installed between columns, and vertical position of wings, frequency response of thrusts in waves and directional particulars of wave incident angle are studied.