Numerical simulation of cavitating ship propeller flow and assessment of erosion aggressiveness

Our contribution focuses on the evaluation of cavitation aggressiveness on the cavitating model propeller VP1304 by numerical simulation. To this respect, we employ a density-based, finite volume method, based on a barotropic, homogeneous mixture model. Fully accounting for two-phase compressibility, collapse-induced instantaneous peak pressures and associated wave dynamics are captured by the chosen approach. The maximum instantaneous pressures registered on material surfaces allow for a qualitative identification of erosion-sensitive areas. Furthermore, a collapse detection algorithm is applied for an automated recording of isolated cavity collapse events. Impact load spectra showing rate and intensity distributions of recorded collapses is utilized for a quantitative evaluation of cavitation aggressiveness. While the cavitating tip vortex is stable and does not lead to collapse events in the vicinity of the propeller, material erosion can be expected in the suction side root region due to a highly unsteady root cavitation.