Thrust force evaluation for a ROV (Remont Operating Vehicle) propeller

Abstract

Abstract The underwater vehicles operated remotely, known from the specialized literature under the name of ROV are common and are intensively used in the maritime industry. Depending on the area of use, ROV must satisfy numerous constructive and functional requirements, which are difficult to achieve in practice and the simulation is a challenging alternative. The big challenge is the simulation of the thrust force generated by the propeller. The present work aims to present such a simulation realized with the Ansys Fluid Dynamics software package. The simulation presented uses a 3D model of an asymmetrical propeller in the duct, having as reference the T100 propeller marketed by Blue Robotics. The fluid volume extracted after the model was made was separated into two domains one static and other rotating around the propeller, which was discretized using the default grid generator. The solution was obtained under stationary conditions using only the flow equations together with the standard k-ε model for turbulence modelling. The calculation was made for rotation speed values in the working domain. In the end, using the facilities of the program, the thrust force of the propeller was calculated. The obtained results were compared with the experimental measurements and critical analysis will be done.