Dynamic response mitigation of floating wind turbine platforms using tuned liquid column dampers

Area of Science:

• Ocean Engineering
• Structural Dynamics
• Renewable Energy Systems

Background:

• Floating tension-leg platforms (TLPs) are critical for offshore renewable energy devices.
• Ensuring TLP structural stability and safety, particularly in extreme weather, is essential for device performance.
• Dynamic responses of TLPs need to be limited to guarantee the intended operation of supported renewable energy devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate and compare the effectiveness of three combinations of multiple tuned liquid column dampers (MTLCDs).
• To assess the impact of MTLCDs on the dynamic performance and stability of a model floating TLP structure.
• To explore the use of output-only statistical markers, specifically delay vector variance (DVV), for monitoring structural conditions under different control scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study in a wave basin using a scaled TLP model.
• Implementation and testing of three distinct combinations of multiple tuned liquid column dampers (MTLCDs).
• Application of the delay vector variance (DVV) marker to analyze structural condition monitoring for various control settings.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated significant reduction in dynamic responses of the scaled TLP model using MTLCDs.
• Comparative analysis showed varying effectiveness among the three tested MTLCD combinations.
• The delay vector variance (DVV) marker proved capable of identifying changes in structural conditions related to damper control.

Conclusions:

• MTLCDs show significant potential for improving the dynamic performance and stability of floating TLPs.
• The choice of MTLCD combination can be optimized for enhanced surge motion reduction.
• Output-only statistical markers like DVV offer a viable approach for structural health monitoring of TLPs with active damping systems.