Simulation and Experiment on Elimination for the Bottom-Sitting Adsorption Effect of a Submersible Based on a Submerged Jet

Abstract

When a submersible is sitting on a seabed, it could lose buoyancy because of the bottom-sitting adsorption effect. In this article, a numerical calculation model and experimental scheme for eliminating the bottom-sitting adsorption effect of under-sea equipment were established. An analysis of the hydrostatic pressure variation on a submersible’s bottom was carried out, and a submerged water jet which was based on the method of soil liquefaction was proposed to solve the problem of reducing hydrostatic pressure. It was shown that a water jet could liquefy soil to restore hydrostatic pressure on the submersible’s bottom, and there was an optimal jet velocity to form the largest liquefied soil thickness. A rectangular pulsed jet was the best way to liquefy soil in terms of efficiency and the liquefaction degree, which can be seen from the calculation of the two-dimensional two-phase flow. Through the calculation of the three-dimensional two-phase flow, it was found that the soil liquefaction developed from the periphery to the center, and a variation in jet liquefaction with the top wall constraint was obtained. Finally, an experiment was carried out to prove that a submerged water jet could eliminate the bottom-sitting adsorption effect of a submersible. The results showed that the submerged jet was an efficient way to liquefy soil, and a submersible could quickly recover hydrostatic pressure on the bottom and refloat up independently.