Controllable-pitch propeller design process for a wind-powered car-carrier optimising for total energy consumption
Journal article, 2023

Wind-powered ship propulsion (WPSP) is the concept where the wind is the main source of thrust, while the traditional propulsion system operates when needed. This type of propulsion can lead to considerably reduced emissions, something that the shipping community is striving for. A well-known example of WPSP is the Oceanbird with the goal to cut emissions of up to 90%. In this study, the propeller design process for a wind-powered car-carrier (wPCC) such as the Oceanbird is investigated, what the various challenges of WPSP are and therefore how an automated optimisation procedure should be approached. A controllable-pitch propeller was selected as suitable propeller type for the operation of the wPCC, and various functions such as windmilling, feathering and harvesting have been explored. Regarding the optimisation procedure, an essential input is the definition of the operational profile, in order to determine the most important conditions for the route. The main objective of the optimisation is the minimisation of the total energy consumption (TEC), calculated based on a selection of conditions using the potential flow solver MPUF-3A. Cavitation has been evaluated by the blade designer, through an interactive optimisation method. The results showed that designing and optimising for the most highly loaded condition led to solutions with the lowest TEC.

Interactive optimisation

Marine propeller design

Controllable-pitch propeller

Total energy consumption

Cavitation evaluation

Wind-powered ship propulsion

Author

Ioli Gypa

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

Marcus Jansson

Robert Gustafsson

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

Sofia Werner

Rickard Bensow

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

Ocean Engineering

0029-8018 (ISSN)

Vol. 269 113426

Subject Categories

Mechanical Engineering

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Transport

DOI

10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.113426

More information

Latest update

1/17/2023