Numerical study on the flow field inside and around a semi-submersible aquaculture platform. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Yun-Peng; Liu, Hang-Fei; Bi, Chun-Wei; Cui, Yong; Guan, Chang-Tao
• Is Part Of: Applied ocean research. Volume 115(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Flow field -- Porous media -- Semi-submersible aquaculture platform -- k–omega turbulence model; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; 620.416205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apor.2021.102824
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1187

Abstract

Highlights: A new method combining the porous media and rigid wall is applied to analyze the flow field. The blocking effect of the semi-submersible aquaculture platform on water flow is analyzed. A phenomenon including low flow velocity region and vortex generation are studied. Abstract: The study of flow velocity distribution inside and around a semi-submersible aquaculture platform is extremely important for the living environment of marine fish, especially in the open sea. Therefore, a method combining porous media and rigid walls is established to analyze the flow patterns inside and around a semi-submersible aquaculture platform. In the present study, the shear stress transport k–omega turbulence model is chosen to describe the flow, and the governing equations are solved by using the finite volume method. The fish nets and main frame, including pontoons, columns, and braces, are modeled by porous media and rigid wall conditions, respectively. The accuracy of the numerical model is verified, and the results show that the experimental values agree with the calculated values. By comparing the flow field of aquaculture platforms with and without fish nets, it can be concluded that fish nets play a vital role in the attenuation of flow velocity. In addition, vortices exist near the wall of the aquaculture platform. The risk of resonance will increase when the frequency of the vortex shedding is close to the natural frequency of the structure, which should be avoided in practical engineering.