Influence of propeller wake sheet on rudder gap flow and gap cavitation

The characteristics of the flow over the rudder’s pintle gap are investigated by using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The propeller and rudder models are scaled down to 1/28.5. Highly accelerated leakage outflows are separated at the discontinuities of the gap and generate strong cavitation at the suction side of the rudder. In the rudder and propeller configuration, the propeller wake sheet ahead of the gap entrance region starts to induce leakage flow over the lower pintle gaps of the suction side. The gap flow has a velocity magnitude as high as 0.4U₀ in the high leakage flow condition, where the wake sheet locates over the gap entrance. The cross-flow of the propeller wake sheet interferes the gap entrance region and triggers gap cavitation. As the propeller wake sheet moves downstream and weakens, the gap flow velocity decreases over the gap entrance.     

Analysis of wake behind a rotating propeller using PIV technique in a cavitation tunnel

A two-frame particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is used to investigate the wake characteristics behind a marine propeller with 4 blades at high Reynolds number. For each of 9 different blade phases from 0° to 80°, 150 instantaneous velocity fields are measured. They are ensemble averaged to study the spatial evolution of the propeller wake in the region ranging from the trailing edge to one propeller diameter (D) downstream location. The phase-averaged mean velocity shows that the trailing vorticity is related to radial velocity jump, and the viscous wake is affected by boundary layers developed on the blade surfaces and centrifugal force. Both Galilean decomposition method and vortex identification method using swirling strength calculation are very useful for the study of vortex behaviors in the propeller wake region. The slipstream contraction occurs in the near-wake region up to about X/D=0.53 downstream. Thereafter, unstable oscillation occurs because of the reduction of interaction between the tip vortex and the wake sheet behind the maximum contraction point.     

Flow induced vibrations of a sharp edge square cylinder in the wake of a circular cylinder

The response of an oscillating circular cylinder at the wake of an upstream fixed circular cylinder was classified by different researchers as galloping, wake induced galloping or wake induced vibration. Furthermore it is already known that a sharp edge square cylinder would undergo galloping if it is subjected to uniform flow. In this study the influence of the wake of a fixed circular cylinder on the response of a downstream square cylinder at different spacing ratios (S/D = 4, 8, 11) is experimentally investigated. The subject appears not to have received previous attention. The lateral displacements, lift forces and the pressure data from gauges mounted in the wake of the oscillating cylinder are recorded and analyzed. The single degree of freedom vibrating system has a low mass-damping parameter and the Reynolds number ranges from 7.7 × 10² to 3.7 × 10⁴.In contrast to that for two circular cylinders in tandem arrangement, the freely mounted downstream square cylinder displays a VIV type of response at all spacing ratios tested. There is no sign of galloping or wake induced galloping with the square cylinder. With increase at the spacing ratio the cross-flow oscillations decrease. It is shown that the vortices arriving from the upstream fixed circular cylinder play a major role on the shedding mechanism behind the downstream square cylinder and cause the square cylinder to shed vortices with frequencies above Strouhal frequency of the fixed square cylinder (St = 0.13). The VIV type of oscillations in the downstream square cylinder is most probably caused by the vortices newly generated behind the square cylinder.     

On the onset of the instability of a three-dimensional jet in a stratified fluid

The onset of a three-dimensional jet flow in a stratified fluid is studied with the aid of a direct numerical simulation. An initially cylindrical jet with a Gaussian velocity profile is considered in a fluid with stable linear density stratification. The results indicate that, if an initial small perturbation of the velocity field has a wide spectrum, an exponential growth of the isolated quasi-two-dimensional mode occurs and its spectral maximum is shifted toward smaller wave numbers in comparison with the maximum of the helical mode of the instability of a nonstratified jet. The growth rate is proportional to Ri^0.5, where Ri is the global Richardson number. The onset of the instability leads to the formation of the flow’s vortex structure, which consists of a collection of different-polarity quasi-two-dimensional vortices located in a horizontal plane near the longitudinal axis of the jet. At sufficiently long times (Nt > 100, where N is the buoyancy frequency and t is time), the growth of instability reaches the saturation stage and further fluctuations in velocity and density decay under the effect of viscous diffusion. At this stage, the flow becomes self-similar and the time dependences of the transverse and vertical widths of the jet are consistent with the asymptotic behaviors of integral parameters of the flow that are observed experimentally in the far stratified wake. The results suggest that the onset of the instability of a quasitwo-dimensional mode can play the determining role in the dynamics of flow in the far stratified wake.     

Experimental investigation of blade and propeller loads: Steady turning motion

This paper is the continuation of the work described in [14], dedicated to the presentation of the results of propeller performance in behind-hull during straight ahead motion obtained by a novel experimental set-up for the measurements of single blade loads. In the present case, the study shows and discusses the single blade and propeller loads developed during steady turning conditions, that were simulated by means of free running, self propelled maneuvering tests for a twin screw configuration. Maneuvering conditions are critical for the ship propulsion system, because the performance of the propeller and the side effects related to its functioning (propeller–hull induced pressure and vibrations, noise) are completely different with respect to the design condition in straight ahead motion. Thrust and torque and generation of in-plane loads (force and moments), developed by the blade during the period, evolve differently for the two propellers, due to different propeller–wake interactions. The understanding and the accurate quantification of propeller loads, in these realistic operative scenarios, are pivotal to design low emission and comfortable ships, fulfilling the requirements of safety and continuity of operations at sea. The analysis is carried out revisiting the investigation in [14] for three different speeds (F_N = 0.26, 0.34 and 0.40) and a large set of rudder angles that span moderate and tight maneuvers.     

Numerical investigation of the scale effect of hydrodynamic performance of the hybrid CRP pod propulsion system

The scale effect of hydrodynamic performance of the hybrid CRP pod propulsion system was investigated numerically using the RANS method combined with SST k − ω turbulence model and moving mesh method. The pod resistance influence factor was introduced to represent the effect of wake field of CRP on the pod resistance. Results showed the pod resistance influence factor to be a function of the Reynolds number and revolution ratio. Representative function expression can be obtained by regression analysis using multiplication of multinomial polynomials and linear function. The standard ITTC 1978 extrapolation procedure can be utilized to predict hydrodynamic performance of forward propeller because of the slightness of the influence of the pod unit on the forward propeller. The thrust and torque coefficient influence factors of aft propeller were introduced, and they were found to represent the effect of wake field of forward propeller and blockage effect of the pod on the hydrodynamic performance of aft propeller. It shows that thrust and torque coefficient influence factors are independent of the Reynolds number and have a linear relationship with the revolution ratio. On this basis, a method of estimating the hydrodynamic performance was proposed for full scale propulsion system.     

Effect of waves on cavitation and pressure pulses of a tanker with twin podded propulsion

There is increasing interest in optimizing ships for the actual operating condition rather than just for calm water. In order to optimize the propeller designs for operations in waves, it is essential to study how the propeller performance is affected by operation in waves. The effect of various factors that influence the propeller is quantified in this paper using a 8000 dwt chemical tanker equipped with twin-podded propulsion as a case vessel. Propeller performance in waves in terms of cavitation, pressure pulses, and efficiency is compared with the performance in calm water. The influence of wake variation, ship motions, RPM fluctuations and speed loss is studied. Substantial increase in cavitation and pressure pulses due to wake variation in the presence of waves is found. It is found that the effect of other factors is relatively small and easier to take into account as compared to wake variation. Therefore, considering the wake variation at least in the critical wave condition (where the wavelength is close to ship length) in addition to calm water wake is recommended in order to ensure that the optimized propeller performs well both in calm water and in waves.     

Evaluation of manoeuvring coefficients of a self-propelled ship using a blade element momentum propeller model coupled to a Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes flow solver

The use of an unsteady computational fluid dynamic analysis of the manoeuvring performance of a self-propelled ship requires a large computational resource that restricts its use as part of a ship design process. A method is presented that significantly reduces computational cost by coupling a blade element momentum theory (BEMT) propeller model with the solution of the Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations. The approach allows the determination of manoeuvring coefficients for a self-propelled ship travelling straight ahead, at a drift angle and for differing rudder angles. The swept volume of the propeller is divided into discrete annuli for which the axial and tangential momentum changes of the fluid passing through the propeller are balanced with the blade element performance of each propeller section. Such an approach allows the interaction effects between hull, propeller and rudder to be captured. Results are presented for the fully appended model scale self-propelled KRISO very large crude carrier 2 (KVLCC2) hull form undergoing static rudder and static drift tests at a Reynolds number of 4.6×10⁶ acting at the ship self-propulsion point. All computations were carried out on a typical workstation using a hybrid finite volume mesh size of 2.1×10⁶ elements. The computational uncertainty is typically 2–3% for side force and yaw moment.     

Numerical simulation of viscous cavitating flow around a ship propeller

In the present study, cavitation and a ship propeller wake are reported by computed fluid dynamics based on viscous multiphase flow theory. Some recent validation results with a hybrid grid based on unsteady Navier-Stokes (N-S) and bubble dynamics equations are presented to predict velocity, pressure and vapor volume fraction in propeller wake in a uniform inflow. Numerical predictions of sheet cavitation, tip vortex cavitation and hub vortex cavitation are in agreement with the experimental data, same as numerical predictions of longitudinal and transversal evolution of the axial velocity. Blade and shaft rate frequency of propeller is well predicted by the computed results of pressure, and tip vortex is the most important to generate the pressure field within the near wake. The overall results indicate that the present approach is reliable for prediction of cavitation and propeller wake on the condition of uniform inflow.     

Relevance of transition turbulent model for hydrodynamic characteristics of low Reynolds number propeller

The propeller of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operates at low Reynolds number in laminar to turbulent transition region. The performance of these propellers can be calculated accurately using RANSE solver with γ − Re_θ transition model. In this study, the global and local hydrodynamic characteristics of open and ducted propeller are investigated using the γ − Re_θ transition model. The capability of the γ − Re_θ transition model to capture laminar to turbulent transition on the surface of the open propeller is demonstrated by comparison with published experimental results. The application of transition model for the propeller K_a-4-70 inside the duct 19A shows that the centrifugal forces are dominant at low Reynolds number and the flow is mainly directed in the radial direction. The transition model is able to predict complex flow physics such as leading-edge separation, tip leakage vortex, and the separation bubble on outer surface of the duct. The accurate prediction of these flow phenomenon can lead to correct calculation of global hydrodynamic forces and moments acting on the propeller at low Reynolds number.     

Research on propeller dynamic load simulation system of electric propulsion ship

A dynamic marine propeller simulation system was developed, which is utilized for meeting the experimental requirement of theory research and engineering design of marine electric propulsion system. By applying an actual ship parameter and its accurate propeller J’~ KT’ and J’~KP’ curve data, functional experiments based on the simulation system were carried out. The experiment results showed that the system can correctly emulate the propeller characteristics, produce the dynamic and steady performances of the propeller under different navigation modes, and present actual load torque for electric propulsion motor.     

Three-dimensional flow around a square cylinder near a wall

In this study, two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations were performed to investigate the effect of the flow structure in the wake of a square cylinder placed near a plane wall by applying a fully implicit finite-difference method to the Navier-Stokes equations. The gap ratio between the cylinder and the wall, G/D, was varied from 0.2 to 4 for the Reynolds numbers of 175, 185 and 250. The role of the 3D structure on the lift and drag coefficients and Strouhal number was investigated. The results were compared with those of the 2D numerical simulations. The deviations of the 3D flow structure of the cylinder-wall pair from that of a single cylinder were also reported. At Re=250, B type secondary vortices were determined in the wake region. At Re=175 and 185, transition from A type vortex to fully periodic B type vortices was observed when the cylinder was brought closer to the wall.     

Numerical investigation on the hydrodynamic characteristics of a marine propeller operating in oblique inflow

The hydrodynamic characteristics of a marine propeller operating in oblique inflow are investigated by using CFD method. Two propellers with different geometries are selected as the study subjects. RANS simulation is carried out for the propellers working at a wide range of advance coefficients and incidence angles. The effects of axial inflow and lateral inflow are demonstrated with the hydrodynamic force on the propeller under different working conditions. Based on the obtained flow field details, the hydrodynamic mechanism of propeller operating in oblique inflow is analyzed further. The trailing vortex wake of propeller is highly affected by the lateral inflow, resulting in the deflected development path and the circumferentially non-uniform structure, as well as the enhanced axial velocity in slipstream. Different flow patterns are observed on the propeller blade with the variation of circumferential position. Combined with the computed hydrodynamic forces and pressure distribution on propeller, the mechanism resulting in the increase of propulsive loads and the generation of propeller side force is explored. Finally, a systematic analysis is carried out for the propulsive loads and propeller side force as a function of axial and lateral advance coefficients. The major terms that play a dominant role in the modeling of propulsive loads and propeller side force are determined through the sensitivity analysis. This study provides a deeper insight into the hydrodynamic characteristics of propeller operating in oblique inflow, which is useful to the investigation of propeller performance during ship maneuvers.     

An experimental method to identify a component of wave orbital motion in propeller effective inflow velocity and its effects on load fluctuations of a ship main engine in waves

Improvements of estimation accuracy on propeller torque fluctuations in waves will contribute assessments on safe operation of a ship main engine as in adverse sea condition. The propeller torque and thrust in waves can be estimated by propeller effective inflow velocity in waves, using the propeller open-water characteristics. Fluctuation components in the mathematical model of the propeller effective inflow velocity in waves can be composed of two components, respectively caused by ship surge motion and wave orbital motion at propeller position. In this study, an experimental method by the model test to directly identify the characteristics of the component by the wave orbital motion is newly proposed. Furthermore, the free-running model test in regular waves, using a simulator of the marine diesel engine which manages the shaft speed of the motor on a ship model as behaving the actual diesel engine, is carried out to obtain realistic torque fluctuations for comparisons of the estimated results applying the proposed identification method. Through comparisons of estimated fluctuations with the measured results, the proposed approach for the component of the inflow velocity due to wave orbital motion is successfully validated.     

VIV and galloping of single circular cylinder with surface roughness at 3.0×10≤Re≤1.2×10

Passive Turbulence Control (PTC) in the form of selectively distributed surface roughness is used to alter Flow Induced Motion (FIM) of a circular cylinder in a steady flow. The objective is to enhance FIM's synchronization range and amplitude, thus maximizing conversion of hydrokinetic energy into mechanical energy by oscillator in vortex-induced vibration and/or galloping. Through additional viscous damping, mechanical energy is converted to electrical harnessing clean and renewable energy from ocean/river currents. High Reynolds numbers (Re) are required to reach the high-lift TrSL3 (Transition-Shear-Layer-3) flow regime. PTC trips flow separation and energizes the boundary layer, thus inducing higher vorticity and consequently lift. Roughness location, surface coverage, and size are studied using systematic model tests with broad-field laser visualization at 3.0×10⁴<Re<1.2×10⁵ in the low-turbulence free-surface water-channel of the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory of the University of Michigan. Test results show that 16° roughness coverage is effective in the range (10°-80°) inducing reduced vortex-induced vibration (VIV), enhanced VIV, or galloping. Range of synchronization may increase or decrease, galloping amplitude of oscillation reaches three diameters; wake structures change dramatically reaching up to ten vortices per cycle. Conversion of hydrokinetic energy to mechanical is enhanced strongly with proper PTC.     

波流共同作用下海底子母管线水动力的物理模型试验研究

通过物理模型试验研究海底子母管线分别在规则波加流和不规则波加流作用下的水动力特性。基于Morison方程,采用"等效直径法"分析得到子母管线拖曳力系数C_D,惯性力系数C_M和升力系数C_L(C_D+,C_L-)。试验分别考察了流速比U_c/U_w,母管与海床间隙比e/D及子母管间的相对缝隙G/D对海底子母管线水动力系数的影响。结果表明水动力系数随U_c/U_w的增大而减小;当e/D<0.5时,海床对子母管线受力的影响比较明显,C_D,C_M及C_L+均随e/D增大而减小,|C_L-|随e/D增大而增大;对子母管间的相互影响也不可忽略,C_D,C_M和|C_L-|均随G/D增大而减小,C_L+值随G/D增大而增大。     

波流共同作用下海底子母管线水动力的物理模型试验研究

通过物理模型试验研究海底子母管线分别在规则波加流和不规则波加流作用下的水动力特性。基于Morison方程,采用"等效直径法"分析得到子母管线拖曳力系数C_D,惯性力系数C_M和升力系数C_L(C_D⁺,C_L^-)。试验分别考察了流速比U_c/U_w,母管与海床间隙比e/D及子母管间的相对缝隙G/D对海底子母管线水动力系数的影响。结果表明水动力系数随U_c/U_w的增大而减小;当e/D<0.5时,海床对子母管线受力的影响比较明显,C_D,C_M及C_L⁺均随e/D增大而减小,|C_L^-|随e/D增大而增大;对子母管间的相互影响也不可忽略,C_D,C_M和|C_L^-|均随G/D增大而减小,C_L⁺值随G/D增大而增大。     

Forces on a pitching plate: An experimental and numerical study

A flat plate in pitching motion is considered as a fundamental source of locomotion in the general context of marine propulsion. The experimental as well as numerical investigation is carried out at a relatively small Reynold number of 2000 based on the plate length c and the inflow velocity U_∞. The plate oscillates sinusoidally in pitch about its 1/3 − c axis and the peak to peak amplitude of motion is 20°. The reduced frequency of oscillation k = πfc/U_∞ is considered as a key parameter and it may vary between 1 and 5. The underlying fluid-structure problem is numerically solved using a compact finite-differences Navier–Stokes solution procedure and the numerical solution is compared with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the flow field around the pitching foil experimental device mounted in a water-channel. A good agreement is found between the numerical and experimental results and the threshold oscillation frequency beyond which the wake exhibits a reverse von Kármán street pattern is determined. Above threshold, the mean velocity in the wake exhibits jet-like profiles with velocity excess, which is generally considered as the footprint of thrust production. The forces exerted on the plate are extracted from the numerical simulation results and it is shown, that reliable predictions for possible thrust production can be inferred from a conventional experimental control volume analysis, only when besides the wake's mean flow the contributions from the velocity fluctuation and the pressure term are taken into account.     

An inverse design approach for minimising wake at propeller plane using CFD

Knowledge of wake characteristics in the stern region is important for ensuring good propeller design and performance. This work examines the utility of CFD in the analysis of flow in the case of full aft beam vessels having characteristic cut stern shape to facilitate propeller aperture. The underwater stern shape may be more complex due to the occurrence of stern appendages such as bossings, strut supports and local shape variations. To this extent, CFD offers an effective tool for both qualitative as well as quantitative assessment of the local geometry. Wake estimate is required for choice of the most favorable propeller geometry. In the present method, the analysis quantifies the effects of small changes in stern rake angles and offers an inverse design approach towards finalising the stern shape. The method consists of solving the standard k-ε turbulent model of RANS equations in cell centered finite volume multi zone grid in the flow domain. This approach has been used in estimating the velocity at the propeller plane. The results have been compared with experimentally obtained values of nominal wake. The approach suggests that CFD can provide a cost effective and quick assessment of flow. It is also an attractive means of pre-empting heterogeneous flow related problems such as vibration and noise due to unfavorable wake in the stern region.