Numerical assessment of propeller-hull interaction and propeller hub effects for a twin screw vessel

Abstract

A numerical study that addresses twin screw propulsion was conducted and results using the RANS solvers ‘FreSCo+’ and ‘Fluent’ were shared. In order to avoid potential problems on property rights we combined the DTMB (David Taylor Model Basin) model No. 5415 and the SVA (Potsdam Model Basin) propeller No. CPP 1304. The computational self-propulsion point was identified via a numerical implementation of the so-called ‘British Method’. In this particular case, linked to the hub dimensions of the chosen propeller, the detailed modelling of the propeller hub and the true resolution of its connection to the hull was rather important. The same view holds for the propeller open water test setup. For the latter case we learned that the comparison with uncorrected experimental thrust data could represent a better way to confirm the numerical results.