Numerical computations and comparison to experiments for a propeller in open water condition

Journal article, 2006

Three-dimensional steady RANS computations were carried out to simulate the flow around a conventional propeller operating in open water conditions. The effects of turbulence were modeled using the shear stress transport SST k- model and the influence of the turbulence model was also investigated using the realizable k- model in combination with enhanced-wall treatment as an alternative. The main objective of this study is to predict the flow around the propeller blade particularly around the blade tip. Computational results, which consist of the forces acting on the propeller and velocity distributions downstream the propeller are illustrated and compared with the experimental data obtained from open water tests and PIV measurements for the design advance coefficient J. The thrust and torque coefficients are also compared for several advance numbers. The SST k- model performed well in predicting the performance of the propeller and the main characteristics of the propeller flow.