Abstract:
Objective This paper aims to study the impact of propeller boss cap fins on the performance of ship propulsion devices 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 efficiency.
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 installation 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 efficiency. Within the range of the studied parameters, when the installation angle is close to the pitch angle at the root of the propeller blade, the energy saving effect is best. The increase in axial position can improve the energy-saving effect to a certain extent, but when it is increased to a certain distance, the propulsion efficiency under the partial acceleration coefficient 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 boss cap fins.