CFD Analysis into the Effect of using Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF) on Open and Ducted Propellers, Case Study with Propeller B-Series and Kaplan-Series

Abstract

The use of propeller boss cap fins (PBCF) on open B-series propeller have been known to reduce wake effect behind the propeller thus increase torque and thrust of propeller, whilst the use of Kaplan-series propeller is successful to improve the quality of flow around the propeller blades hence increase the propeller efficiency. The current work is carried out to investigate the effect of combining PBCF and ducted on B-series and Kaplan-series propellers to discover further advantages of using the two types of energy saving device (ESD) tools. The study is carried out numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach which is based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANSE) together with the use of k-epsilon turbulence modelling. Overall results show that the use of Kaplan-series with combination ducted and PBCF can even further improve the thrust, torque, and efficiency of propeller.