Design and Testing of a Novel Deepwater Riser Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV) Suppression Device

To address the issues of low efficiency, manufacturing difficulties, and inconvenient installation of existing suppression devices, this study utilizes modified polyurethane elastomer materials to innovatively design and develop a novel deepwater riser vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device. While ensuring excellent hydrodynamic performance, the device leverages the material’s moldability and durability to significantly improve manufacturability and achieve modular rapid installation. Test results demonstrate that its suppression efficiency exceeds 90%, reaching a maximum of 96.97%, showcasing outstanding vibration control effectiveness. Sea trials further validate the comprehensive performance of the device. Under actual marine environmental conditions, the device not only exhibits stable high suppression efficiency but also demonstrates remarkable engineering applicability: the material is corrosion-resistant and adaptable to high-pressure deep-sea environments, while the modular design enables a simple and quick installation process, greatly reducing offshore operation time and costs. These advantages effectively address the issues of fatigue damage and safety risks in risers caused by vortex-induced vibrations during deepwater oil and gas development. In conclusion, through dual innovations in material and structural design, this deepwater riser VIV suppression device successfully balances the three objectives of high-efficiency suppression, ease of manufacturing, and convenient installation. It provides reliable technical support for the safe and efficient development of deepwater oil and gas resources, holding broad prospects for promotion and application.