Numerical simulation of turbulent flow around the dtmb4119 propeller in open water conditions

Abstract

In this study, ANSYS-FLUENT packages are employed to simulate the turbulent flow around DTMB4119 propeller in open water conditions. In order to form a mesh, the multiple reference frame (MRF) methodology is used. The results are compared with the experimental results and a good conformity is obtained, which endorses numerical simulation. Furthermore, the turbulence model is used, which is superior to other turbulence models in modeling marine propellers. The investigation focuses on aspects related to the influence of the pressure coefficient and the advance coefficient on hydrodynamic performance and cavitation of the propeller. The results reveal that the pressure coefficient at first decreases and then augments as it moves from the leading edge to trailing edge in the suction surface. Moreover, by increasing the blade radius and its speed, the minimum pressure increases in a way that pressure coefficient reaches its minimum value. Furthermore, volume fraction of the vapor over the blades decreases as the advance coefficient increases. As a result, the possibility of cavitation decreases.