Hydrodynamic Performance Analysis of the Ducted Propeller Based on the Combination of Multi-Block Hybrid Mesh and Reynolds Stress Model

Abstract

In order to analyze the hydrodynamic performance of the ducted propeller with high precision, this paper proposes a new method which combines Multi-Block Hybrid Mesh and Reynolds Stress Model (MBHM & RSM). The calculation errors of MBHM & RSM and standard two-equation model (standard k-ε model) on the ducted propeller JD7704 +Ka4-55 are compared. The maximum error of the total thrust coefficient KT, the duct thrust coefficient KTN, the torque coefficient KQ and the open-water efficiency η0 of MBHM & RSM are 2.98%, 4.01%, 1.46%, and 0.89%, respectively, which are lower than those of standard k-ε model. Indeed, the pressure distribution on the propeller surfaces, the pressure and the velocity vector distribution of the flow field are also analyzed, which are consistent with the theory. It is demonstrated that MBHM & RSM on the thruster dynamics analysis are feasible. This paper provides reference in the thruster designing of underwater robot.