RANS Simulation of a Tip-Leakage Vortex on a Ducted Marine Propulsor

Abstract

High-fidelity RANS simulations are presented for a ducted marine propulsor, including verification & validation (V&V) using available experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) data. CFDSHIP-IOWA is used with k- turbulence model and extensions for relative rotating coordinate system and Chimera overset grids. The mesh interpolation code PEGASUS is used for the exchange of the flow information between the overset grids. Intervals V&V for thrust, torque, and profile averaged radial velocity just downstream of rotor tip are reasonable in comparison with previous results. Flow pattern displays interaction and merging of tip-leakage and trailing edge vortices. In interaction region, multiple peaks and vorticity are smaller, whereas in merging region, better agreement with EFD. Tip-leakage vortex core position, size, circulation, and cavitation patterns for =5 also show a good agreement with EFD, although vortex core size is larger and circulation in interaction region is smaller.