CFD simulations using FLUENT were preformed to study the plume flow in the vicinity of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel operated by Kerr-McGee North Sea (U.K.) Ltd. It was of particular interest to ensure that hot gases emitted from the turbine exhausts did not result in significant temperature increases in the vicinity of the helideck in tail wind conditions. Contact with exhaust plumes more than two degrees Celsius above ambient can impact the aerodynamic performance of rotorcraft, and U.K. regulations require special procedures in that case.

The figure shows the exhaust cloud (in green) within which there is a temperature rise more than two degrees above ambient. The results demonstrated that during normal weather conditions, the wind and thermal environment around the vicinity of the helideck is satisfactory for helicopter operations.

Iso-surface of air temperature 2C above ambient for tail wind conditions