Hybrid RANS and Potential Based Numerical Simulation for Self-Propulsion Performances of the Practical Container Ship

Abstract

The finite volume based multi-block RANS code, WAVIS developed at MOERI is applied to the numerical self-propulsion test. WAVIS uses the cell-centered finite volume method for discretization of the governing equations. The realizable k-ε turbulence model with a wall function is employed for the turbulence closure. The free surface is captured with the two-phase level set method and body forces are used to model the effects of a propeller without resolving the detail blade flow. The propeller forces are obtained using an unsteady lifting surface method based on potential flow theory. The numerical procedure followed the self-propulsion model experiment based on the 1978 ITTC performance prediction method. The self-propulsion point is obtained iteratively through balancing the propeller thrust, the ship hull resistance and towing force that is correction for Reynolds number difference between the model and full scale. The unsteady lifting surface code is also iterated until the propeller induced velocity is converged in order to obtain the propeller force. The self-propulsion characteristics such as thrust deduction, wake fraction, propeller efficiency, and hull efficiency are compared with the experimental data of the practical container ship. The present paper shows that hybrid RANS and potential flow based numerical method is promising to predict the self-propulsion parameters of practical ships as a useful tool for the hull form and propeller design.