Propeller design for rim-drive thrusters

Abstract

The propeller holds significant importance within a ship's propulsion system, as it is critical for the vessel's overall performance. In this thesis, the primary objective is to investigate the efficiency of various rim drive propeller designs specifically tailored for small craft boat applications. To accomplish this, open water curves are generated using the commercial CFD software called \texttt{Fine/Marine}. This software utilizes the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) methodology, which allows for a detailed analysis of fluid flow around the propeller. For the equations closure, the k-ω SST turbulence model is employed.

The research conducted in this thesis has revealed the potential for significant efficiency improvements in propeller design. Among the various designs explored, two have emerged as particularly noteworthy. The first design maintains an identical geometry to the BlueSpin propeller but reduces the number of blades to three. The second design draws inspiration from classical propellers and features a narrow root. Both of these designs have demonstrated an impressive efficiency increase reaching nearly 50\% compared to the initial design. These findings underscore the existence of considerable untapped potential for enhancing Rim drive propeller design. The results suggest that further advancements and innovations in this field can lead to substantial improvements in propeller performance and efficiency.