Comparative study of prediction methods of power increase and propulsive performances in regular head short waves of KVLCC2 using CFD

Abstract

This paper employs computational tools to predict power increase (or speed loss) and propulsion performances in waves of KVLCC2. Two-phase unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been solved using finite volume method; and a realizable k-ε model has been applied for the turbulent closure. The free-surface is obtained by solving a VOF equation. Sliding mesh method is applied to simulate the flow around an operating propeller. Towing and self-propulsion computations in calm water are carried out to obtain the towing force, propeller rotating speed, thrust and torque at the self-propulsion point. Towing computations in waves are performed to obtain the added resistance. The regular short head waves of λ/LPP = 0.6 with 4 wave steepness of H/λ = 0.007, 0.017, 0.023 and 0.033 are taken into account. Four methods to predict speed-power relationship in waves are discussed; Taylor expansion, direct powering, load variation, resistance and thrust identity methods. In the load variation method, the revised ITTC-78 method based on the ‘thrust identity’ is utilized to predict propulsive performances in full scale. The propulsion performances in waves including propeller rotating speed, thrust, torque, thrust deduction and wake fraction, propeller advance coefficient, hull, propeller open water, relative rotative and propulsive efficiencies, and delivered power are investigated. Keywords: Power increase, Speed loss, Propulsion performances, Regular short head waves, KVLCC2, CFD, Taylor expansion, Direct powering, Load variation, Resistance and thrust identity method