CFD-based simulation analysis of energy-saving performance of propeller with boss cap fins
[Objective]This paper aims to study the impact of propeller boss cap fins(PBCFs)on the per-formance of ship propellers and their optimization,verify the energy-saving effects of the fins and provide the optimal design parameters to achieve the goal of reducing energy consumption and improving navigation effi-ciency.[Method]The energy-saving mechanism of installing boss cap fins on propellers is analyzed via CFD steady state calculation using the SST k-ω turbulence model.By studying the relevant mechanisms,the influence laws of parameters such as the mounting angle,axial position and diameter of the boss cap fins on the overall hydrodynamic performance are analyzed.[Results]The results show that installing boss cap fins can weaken the hub vortex strength,recover the wake energy,eliminate the low-pressure zone on the fins and generate negative torque on the fin blades,thereby improving propulsion efficiency.Within the range of the studied parameters,when the mounting angle is close to the pitch angle at the root of the propeller blade,the energy-saving effect is the best.The increase in axial position can improve the energy-saving effect to a cer-tain extent,but when it is increased to a certain distance,the propulsion efficiency under the several advance coefficients will decrease.When the diameter of the boss cap fins is 0.26D,the energy-saving effect is higher.[Conclusion]The results of this study can provide useful references for the future improvement of the energy-saving effect of propeller with boss cap fins.
propellerpropeller boss cap finsCFDhydrodynamic performanceenergy saving