Numerical simulation of calm water entry of flatted-bottom seafloor mining tool

The hydrodynamic problem of a two-dimensional model of seafloor mining tool entering still water vertically at constant speed was analyzed based on the velocity potential theory. For the assumption that the water entry occurs with very short time interval, the viscosity and gravity of fluid were neglected. Considering the characteristic shape of it, the seafloor mining tool was simplified as a flat-bottom body. The governing equations were the Reynolds time-averaged equations and the k-epsilon model. Finite element analysis was undertaken using the CFD software, Fluent. The impact pressures on the bottom of the mining tool were computed based on the improved volume of fluid method (VOF). The pressure distribution, the maximum impact pressure, and the impact duration time during the water entry of mining tool are presented at various deploying velocities, the two peak pressures in the impact process are observed, and the relationship between the maximum impact pressure and the deploying velocity is obtained. The results are compared with those based on other prediction theories and methods.