Free roll decay simulation of a polar research vessel with an anti-roll tank based on CFD

Abstract

The Polar Research Vessel (PRV) must consider both icebreaking and ocean navigation performance, but its hull lines can result in large amplitude roll motion in storms. To address this issue, an anti-roll tank (ART) is fitted to restrain the roll. Using the viscous CFD method, a numerical model is established to couple ship motion with fluid motion in the ART. The simulation accurately captures the fluid motion characteristics in the ART and solves the nonlinearity of fluid motion coupled with roll motion. The study reveals the suppression rule of ART parameters on ship motion and completes the design of ART for polar icebreakers. Investigating the effects of water load, channel height, and installation height of ART on roll motion suppression using an equivalent damping evaluation method provides insight into ART parameter suppression rules on ship motion, facilitating ART design for polar icebreakers.