Numerical Simulations of the Hydrodynamic Performance of the Propeller with Wake Equalizing Duct behind the Ship

Abstract

The equalizing wake flow into the propeller behind the ship is important from the hydrodynamic performance viewpoint. In this study, numerical simulations of the DTMB4119 propeller with two symmetric and asymmetric duct types behind the KRISO container ship (KCS) are performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In order to improve the wake equaling flow, a combined duct and stators configurations were installed before the propeller in the stern of the ship and its hydrodynamic performance was studied using CFD. A duct with the NACA4415 section and two types of stator configurations are selected. The STAR-CCM+ software that uses the finite volume discretization method was used to solve the governing equations of the fluid flow. In simulating the turbulence model, the standard k-ω model was used and the solution method was validated by comparing the available experimental data. Output parameters such as thrust coefficient and torque coefficient in the open-water condition and behind the ship have been presented and discussed. Improvements in the propeller performance after mounting the asymmetric and symmetric ducts are found at 4.8% and 6.57%, respectively. So, it is concluded that the symmetric duct is more affected by the propeller performance and, hence, reduced fuel consumption considerably.