Numerical Analysis of Hydrodynamic Performance of Propeller in Waves

Abstract

The hydrodynamic performance of propeller is mostly studied in calm water, but the propeller working behind ship is often affected by waves. According to the literature, there is relatively little research on hydrodynamic performance of propeller in waves at present. In view of this, RANS solver based on OpenFOAM is used to calculate and analyze the influence of waves on the thrust and torque of propeller. The results show that time history curves of thrust and torque oscillate under the influence of waves. The disturbance of free surface and the oscillation amplitude of time history curves increase with the decrease of immersion depth and advance coefficient. Compared with the calm water condition, the average thrust and torque of propeller in waves are reduced when the immersion depth and advance coefficient are the same. The computational results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Keywords

• wave
• propeller
• thrust
• torque
• hydrodynamic performance