Session: 15-07-01 Ship Manoeuvring, Resistance and Propulsion

Submission Number: 182291

Open Water Simulation for B and KCA Propeller Models Using Openfoam 

This study presents a comprehensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of two marine propeller models—the Wageningen B-series and the Gawn-Burrill (KCA) series—under open water conditions using the open-source software OpenFOAM. The research aims to validate the numerical simulation methodology, which is envisioned to be applied for the optimization of marine propulsion systems in the context of increasing environmental regulations and efficiency demands.

The simulations employed the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach with a standard k–ε turbulence model and standard wall functions, assuming incompressible, isothermal, single-phase flow without cavitation. The propeller geometries were adapted using FreeCAD, and the computational domain was designed following ITTC guidelines to minimize boundary effects. The Arbitrary Mesh Interface (AMI) technique was used to simulate propeller rotation within a cylindrical domain. Mesh independence tests were conducted to ensure result reliability, with structured hexahedral meshes refined near blade surfaces to capture curvature and flow details.

Performance metrics such as thrust coefficient (K_T), torque coefficient (K_Q), and open-water efficiency (η_0) were evaluated across a range of advance coefficients (J). For the B-series propeller, simulation results were compared with polynomial regression data from the Wageningen series, yielding mean absolute relative deviations (MARD) of 3.56% for K_T, 2.81% for K_Q, and 3.80% for η_0. For the KCA propeller, results were validated against experimental and simulated data from literature, showing MARD values of 5.59% for K_T, 2.37% for K_Q, and 4.38% for η_0. These deviations were deemed acceptable, especially considering that the largest discrepancies occurred beyond the optimal efficiency point, a region typically avoided in practical operations due to the increased susceptibility to drastically reduce performance for a small fall on the ship K_T.

A novel aspect of this study is the investigation of rake angle influence on propeller performance and mechanical loads, an area with limited prior research. Two rake configurations (0° and 20°) were analyzed for the B-series propeller. Results indicated that rake angle had minimal impact on open-water efficiency within the normal operating range, with differences under 1.5%. However, rake angle significantly affected transversal mechanical loads, with the 20° rake propeller exhibiting up to 135% higher vertical force and 167% higher yawing moment compared to the 0° rake configuration. These findings underscore the importance of considering rake angle in bearing design and structural integrity assessments.

Overall, the CFD methodology demonstrated satisfactory accuracy and robustness, validating its use for propeller performance analysis and design optimization. Future work will incorporate cavitation effects, alternative turbulence models, and broader operational conditions further to enhance the fidelity and applicability of the simulations.

Presenting Author: Crístofer Hood Marques Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG)

Presenting Author Biography: Crístofer Hood Marques is an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Brazil, and a former research collaborator at Florida State University’s Center for Advanced Power Systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering from COPPE/UFRJ and specializes in ship propulsion, marine energy systems, and decarbonization strategies for maritime transport. Dr. Marques has published extensively on ship energy efficiency and LNG carrier optimization and holds a patent application for a novel marine propulsion device.

Authors:

Sheilla Caroline De Lima Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM)
Juan Ordonez Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering
Jeferson Avila Souza Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG)
Jean-David Caprace Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
Crístofer Hood Marques Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG)