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A three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) model of top-tensioned riser (TTR) with hydropneumatic tensioner is proposed in this work. First, the tension calculation equation of the hydropneumatic system is derived, and the kinematic relationship of the platform–tensioner–riser system is established. Second, a 3D FEA model is established based on the FEA code ABAQUS, considering the actual riser string configuration and the Christmas tree. At last, four kinds of tensioner models, i.e., a constant vertical tension model, a conventional simplified model, a linear spring–damper model, and a nonlinear spring–damper model, are compared and analyzed in this study. Results show that the constant vertical tension model is not recommended as it cannot reflect the actual tension in the tensioner and the response of the TTR. The conventional simplified model indeed overestimates the tension of tensioner and may lead to inaccurate estimation results of the TTR response. The linear model is applicable when the environmental condition is relatively mild, but it is strongly recommended to use the nonlinear model especially in harsher environmental conditions.

Biobutanol (n-C4H9OH, available as fermentation product of various carbohydrate derivatives obtained from different resources of agricultural production such as crops and wastes) is one of the most promising biofuels in the near future. It can be produced by the so-called ABE (acetone-butanol-ethanol) type anaerobic fermentation discovered by Pasteur [1, 2] and industrialized by Weizmann [3]. Main problems associated with industrial production of biobutanol include high energy demand for processing of dilute ferment liquors and high volume of wastewater. A bioreactor with a volume of 100 m3 produces at 90% filling ratio 1053 kg of butanol, 526 kg of acetone and 175 kg of ethanol together with 2900 kg of carbon dioxide, 117 kg of hydrogen and 84150 kg of wastewater. Efforts to increase productivity and decrease production costs resulted in many new methods. This chapter summarizes some selected results on methods of biobutanol production.

A method to evaluate the probability of failure of a failure path leading to fatigue collapse of an offshore structure is presented. The failure path is modeled by a number of failure elements, which represent the fatigue-sensitive joints in the structure, connecting in parallel and failing in sequence. The probability of failure of the parallel system is calculated by using first-order second-moment method. The formulation is further improved by considering the probability of occurrence of a specified sequence in which the failure elements fail. The method can be employed both in searching for important failure paths and in evaluating the probability of failure of the whole structure in systems fatigue reliability analysis of offshore structures.