Thrust Losses and Dynamic Loads on a Ducted Pushing Thruster in Regular Waves

This paper presents the results of CFD investigations into
the hydrodynamics of a ducted azimuth propulsor operating
in regular waves. Numerical simulations are conducted to
quantify thrust losses and load oscillations experienced by the propulsor in waves of different height and magnitude, without and with the occurrence of ventilation. In addition to the scenarios when propulsor submergence is fixed, wave induced planar motions of propulsor in the roll plane are also studied. The findings highlight the importance of dynamic effects in the flow, which are associated with wave passage and propulsor motion, especially when the ventilation phenomenon is involved.