The great challenge of propeller cavitation in shipbuilding. Continuous control with the innovative Non-Intrusive Cavitation Detection System (Ni-CDS)

Abstract

Cavitation is an unwanted phenomenon that has been present for more than 50 years in any ship propulsion system. Despite the great technological advances with the use of advanced simulation tools (CFD's), and new technology, we are still far from being able to eliminate it from propellers due to its own operating principle. This phenomenon will continue to occur under certain conditions of operation of the propulsion system of ships.
 The consequences of this phenomenon are well known to the Navies, shipowners and naval engineers: reduction of the service life of the propeller and sometimes of the rudder and hull too, reduction of propulsive efficiency, a significant increase in vibrations and noise on board and, consequently, a reduction in comfort conditions and stealth capacity, together with noise pollution with negative effects on the oceans and marine fauna. This issue has been on the table at the IMO since 2008, currently working on updating MEPC.1/Circ.833. For this purpose, a working group of more than 120 experts from 40 entities (countries and organizations) from all over the world has been created, being TSI one of its most involved members.
 After more than 5 years of research, TSI has developed the first non-intrusive system capable of automatically and continuously detect this phenomenon and quantify its intensity, with sufficient precision to provide valuable information for its control. By having a visible and real time indicator of this phenomenon, we can act and reduce the negative effects of cavitation and control the acoustic signature of our vessel at all times.