Estimation of hull-propeller interaction of a self-propelling model hull using a RANSE solver

Viscous flow around the self-propelled hull was investigated at model scale with a RANSE solver using k-ε turbulence model by coupling the flow around the hull model with the flow generated by the rotating propeller. Hence, the challenges involved in the coupling of flow past ship hull with propeller flow of lower-order scale have been brought out and addressed here. Propeller rotation is accounted for by mesh motion; the solution domain is represented by a rotating cylindrical domain encompassing the propeller and a fixed rectangular domain around the hull for the remaining part of the solution domain; both these domains are interfaced by sliding interfaces. Comparisons are made between the simulated results and corresponding experimental results for hull resistance, propeller thrust and propeller RPM. It is shown that the flow field in the self-propelling condition is well reproduced in the simulation, and the estimated thrust deduction factor and RPM agree well with the measured ones. Among the various turbulence modelling schemes available, the present study uses the Realizable k-ε turbulence model. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.