IMIS - Marine Research Groups | Compendium Coast and Sea

IMIS - Marine Research Groups

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Numerical study on propeller flow field in four quadrants
Lu, S.; Van Hoydonck, W.; López Castaño, S.; Lataire, E.; Delefortrie, G. (2025). Numerical study on propeller flow field in four quadrants. Appl. Ocean Res. 158: 104576. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2025.104576
In: Applied Ocean Research. CML Publications/Elsevier: Southampton. ISSN 0141-1187; e-ISSN 1879-1549, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Computational fluid dynamics
    Harbours and waterways > Resistance and propulsion > Open water
    Numerical calculations
    Propellers
Author keywords
    Four quadrants

Project Top | Authors 
  • PhD - Voorspelling aanstroming roer in 4 kwadranten, more

Authors  Top 
  • Lu, S.
  • Van Hoydonck, W., more
  • López Castaño, S., more
  • Lataire, E., more
  • Delefortrie, G., more

Abstract
    The propeller hydrodynamic performance under different direction combinations of the uniform inflow and the propeller rate, i.e. four quadrants (Q1–Q4) conditions, is studied with CFD methods, and validated by the experimental data of a model-scale propeller. The numerical strategies including the turbulence model, the grid size, and the time step are discussed. Regarding the relative direction of the inflow and the propeller jet, RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes) and DDES (Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation) are compared in resolving global and local flow quantities. RANS results show similar near-field flow fields to DDES results in Q1/Q3, while DDES gives more accurate forces and richer flow details such as vortex resolutions for cases with opposite flow directions. Then the propeller is simulated by RANS in Q1/Q3, and by DDES in Q2/Q4. In four quadrants, the propeller thrust and torque, vortex structures, and velocity and pressure distributions are presented for flow mechanism analysis. In Q1/Q3 conditions, the propeller jet evolves in the same direction as the inflow, promising a converged flow field. In Q3, the reverse rotation leads to less significant flow acceleration effects than Q1 under the same inflow velocity, and the non-uniformity of pressure distributions on the blades is strengthened. For Q2/Q4, massive flow separations occur due to the interaction of the propeller jet and counter inflow, and the recirculation zone with reversed axial velocities forms. With increased inflow velocities, the dominant role between the inflow and the propeller jet gradually shifts, and the difference in the propeller jet produced by ahead and astern rotations postpones the shift in Q2 compared with Q4. This study investigates the propeller flow field in four quadrants and can help to quantify rudder inflow variations in hull-propeller-rudder interactions for future research.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors