Influence of Gap Width and Artificial Damping on Gap Resonance

Abstract

Side-by-side offloading between two vessels in offshore operations, creates a narrow gap where blistering free surface motions may be excited due to resonant responses. The present study investigates what influence gap width and artificial damping has on these motions. We run a series of numerical simulations, based on a 3D linear potential flow solver using a numerically validated model from our previous work. The model is meant to simulate a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, an LNG carrier, and the narrow gap created between them. In this study, the resonant fluid motions in the gap are investigated based on a configuration where both vessels are fixed. The results show a significant impact on the response of the gap resonance with diverse gap widths. By applying artificial damping to the free surface, we found that there is no significant effect on the resonant motions of the gap surface after the gap width reaches a significant fraction of one ship breadth.