Numerical Simulation of Foulings on the Marine Vessels Body and Application of Newly Recommended Techniques to Reduce the Resulting Drag Force

Abstract

In this research, the effects of foulings on the outer surface of a marine vessel have been studied using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods. To this end, a proper turbulence model was considered and validated for the simulations. The simulation results for different fouling grades indicated that existing of a thin layer of slime could make 4.58 % increase in drag force; however, foulings on the outer surface of a marine vessel could make about 40% increase in drag force. In this study, the application of modern coatings (surface covers) for reducing the foulings and the resulting drag force was also investigated and the results were presented. Based on the simulation results, application of the coatings, the foulings resulted drag force would decrease about 37%. In addition, wave patterns, pressure distribution, drag coefficient distribution, and turbulent distribution profile were investigated on the free surface.

Keywords

• drag reduction
• fouling
• marine vessel
• simulation
• turbulence model