Mitigation of Hub Vortex Cavitation with Application of Roughness

This study investigates the influence of roughness on hydrodynamic performance, especially for hub vortex—and, hence, vortex cavitation—of a benchmark propeller operating under uniform flow conditions using RANS method. The Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model is also used modelling and off blades. In order to include effects in numerical calculations, experimentally obtained functions were incorporated with wall function CFD solver. applicability effectiveness application applied as novel concept explored mitigate cavitation. results are first validated experimental data smooth through performance characteristics extension. Then, covered four different sizes roughness. show that degradation negligible, maximum efficiency loss around 0.25% respect condition when was roughened. Favourable impacts found vortex, mitigation. Applying changed properties (e.g., pressure, velocity turbulent kinetic energy) inside enabling early breakdown extension vortices. These changes presence result mitigation up 50% depending size condition. Thus, this proposed concept, hub, can be cavitation, rudder erosion URN both newly designed retrofitted projects by keeping minimum possible.