Model and full scale CFD analysis of propeller boss cap fins (PBCF)

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses of propeller boss cap fins (PBCF) were carried out for two different propellers at model and full scale Reynolds numbers with two different inflow conditions. Computations corresponding to the reverse propeller open test (POT) experiment were confirmed to be in a good agreement with the measurement. The results of computations at different conditions have shown that increased Reynolds number and presence of hull wake both positively influence the effects of PBCF. Due to the combined effect of the Reynolds number and the wake, the gain in the propeller efficiency at the full scale condition was found to be significantly larger than that at the model test condition. The detailed investigation of the results suggested that the fin drag becomes smaller and the reduction of the boss drag becomes larger at the full scale condition. However, the predicted gain is still smaller than the values reported in the sea trial and logbook analysis. The remaining gap may be attributed to the difference in the estimated and actual wake distribution or to other factors such as interactions with hull and rudder, surface roughness, unsteadiness and hub vortex cavitation.     

First year ice interactions on Molikpaq: Measurements and experiments

The Molikpaq is a steel mobile arctic structure which has been used for exploration of hydrocarbon reserves on the Canadian Beaufort shelf. In early 1986, the Molikpaq experienced numerous interactions with various ice features at Amanuligak I-65. An extensive ice loads investigation program was conducted as a joint industrial project. Ishikawajima-Harima Heary Industries (IHI) has proposed a method to estimate the global ice load on an arctic structure by utilizing results from ice tank experiments. Experiments were conducted in the IHI ice model tank using a model of the Molikpaq. A comparison between the measured ice loads and the estimated ice loads was made and it was found to be in fair agreement, in spite of some uncertainties involved in both the measured and the estimated ice loads. In this paper, instrumentation which the Molikpaq employed in the investigation program is briefly introduced. Failure modes of ice features observed in the program are also mentioned. The basic idea behind the dual parameters testing and estimating method (DuPTEM) is described. The model experiments and the results are then outlined. The comparison between the measured and estimated ice loads is shown. Finally, uncertainties in both the estimated and the measured ice loads are discussed.