AGHO AISOSA COLLINS

Cavitation is a phenomenon that significantly impacts the performance, efficiency, and longevity of ship propellers, often leading to issues such as vibration, noise, erosion, and a reduction in propulsive efficiency. The motivation behind this study stems from the need to better understand the dynamics of cavitation bubbles and their effects on propeller performance to design more efficient and durable marine propulsion systems. As cavitation can cause damage to propeller blades and reduce fuel efficiency, addressing this issue is crucial for the advancement of ship design, particularly in terms of material selection, propeller geometry, and operational strategies. The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of cavitation-induced bubbles on ship propellers using advanced computational tools, thereby providing insights that could guide future propeller designs and enhance maritime operational efficiency. To achieve this, the study employs ANSYS simulation tools, specifically its Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) module, to model and simulate the behavior of cavitation bubbles in proximity to the propeller. The simulations use a multiphase flow model that includes both the liquid and vapor phases, allowing for the simulation of bubble formation, growth, and collapse under various operating conditions using the vp1304 as the propeller model. The study examines different parameters such as propeller rotational speed, fluid velocity, water temperature, and turbulence levels. The simulation environment is built on realistic physical conditions, using detailed mesh generation to accurately capture the complex flow behavior round the propeller blades. ANSYS Fluent's cavitation model is used to simulate bubble dynamics, with a focus on evaluating pressure distributions, vortex shedding, and velocity gradients. The results of the simulations reveal that cavitation has a profound effect on the hydrodynamic performance of the propeller. Areas of the propeller subjected to low-pressure conditions were found to experience intense cavitation, leading to significant performance degradation, including thrust loss, decrease in torque, decrease in the overall efficiency of the model. Additionally, the simulations suggest that optimizing propeller blade shape and operating conditions could mitigate the detrimental effects of cavitation. The findings highlight the importance of considering cavitation dynamics during the design phase and provide a roadmap for improving propeller efficiency, reducing cavitation damage, and enhancing the overall performance of marine propulsion systems.