Methodology to Develop Propeller using Circulation Theory: Review and Application

Marine propeller selection is an extensive exercise which lies at the core of powering of marine vehicles. The traditional method of propeller selection methods is based on momentum or aerofoil based theories and a database of a "propeller series" which have experimental origins. The naval architect estimates the propeller characteristics from these theories and chooses an existing propeller model from the series. Circulation theory gives the required tools to "design" a propeller from scratch. The aim of this paper is to use the circulation theory-based methodology (developed by Eckhardt and Morgan) and build a MATLAB tool which can take ship propulsive and wake data as input and design a propeller best suited for avoiding cavitation without reducing efficiency. The methodology is validated with the prediction of the propeller for wake adapted propeller for single screw vessel and simultaneously a propeller is designed for KCS ship.