Ship hull drag reduction using bottom air injection

Abstract

The idea of bottom air injection to reduce ship hull resistance is not new. Early patents envisioned planing hull applications. Recent planing hull tests speed realized an increase of 7–12 knots. River barges and ship fitted with an air injection system results are presented to show a 10–15% reduction in the frictional resistance. Graphs for making initial estimates for displacement hulls with bottom air injection are presented. It is clear from these results that improvements in high speed planing catamarans and full form hull resistance can be realized by using bottom air injection.