Numerical Performance Prediction of PPTC Propeller

Numerical methods provide reasonably accurate results in a much shorter time as compared to experimental testing. Further, complex phenomena like tip vortices, phase change and cavitation can be also predicted using CFD tools. Numerical methods are used to estimate the performance of propellers at a preliminary stage in the design phase. Performance of PPTC propeller is analyzed using commercially available Star CCM+ software. PPTC model propeller is 0.25 m in diameter. It is a standard propeller with right hand rotation orientation and five blades which are moderately skewed. Propeller performance curves in open water condition for the propeller were made public by SVA Potsdam as a part of SMP '11. One equation turbulence model (Spalart-Allmaras), Two equations turbulence models (k-epsilon & k-omega) and a four equation turbulence mode (Reynolds Stress Model) are used to predict the performance of PPTC propeller and their results are compared with experimental results. The calculations are carried out over a range of Advance Ratios (0.16 to 1.44) by keeping the propeller revolutions constant and changing flow velocity, propeller performance curves are generated using the results. Good agreement is found between experimental and numerical results with maximum error of 10% in Thrust prediction and 4% in Torque prediction.