Abstract
This paper evaluates the applicability of the hexahedral block structured grids for marine propeller performance predictions. Hydrodynamic characteristics for Potsdam Propeller Test Case (PPTC), namely thrust and torque coefficients, were determined using numerical simulations in two commercial solvers: Ansys Fluent and STAR-CCM+. Results were attained for hexahedral and tetrahedral hybrid grids equivalent in terms of cell count and quality, and compared to the experimental results. Furthermore, accuracy of Realizable k- ϵ and SST k- ω turbulent models when analyzing marine propeller performance was investigated. Finally, performance characteristics were assessed in cavitating flow conditions for a single advance ratio using Zwart–Gerber–Belamri and Schnerr and Sauer models. The resulting cavitation pattern was compared to cavity extents and shape noted during measurements. The results suggest that hexa and hybrid grids, in certain range of advance ratios, do provide similar results; however, for low and high ratios, structured grids in conjunction with Realizable k- ϵ model can achieve more accurate results.
Highlights
Propellers are an essential component in ship propulsion
This paper evaluates the applicability of the hexahedral block structured grids for marine propeller performance predictions
Open water tests were conducted with the same hexahedral block structured grids in both solvers for advance ratios ranging from J = 0 to J = 1.4422, with rotational velocity set at n = 10 s−1
Summary
Propellers are an essential component in ship propulsion They vary in shapes and sizes depending on the load and required performance. Their primary purpose is to convert rotational velocity into useful thrust. Since their inception, marine propellers have been subjected to iterative improvements. First empirical models have been formulated enabling engineers to predict performance characteristics of modified propeller designs without the need to conduct experimental tests. This approach, though convenient, did not always yield correct results, urging the development of alternative techniques [1]
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