Numerical Method to Simulate Self-Propulsion of Aframax Tanker in Irregular Waves

With the implement of ship energy efficiency design index (EEDI), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique has become an effective method to predict the ship performance and further guide the designers to optimize hull lines. However, due to the complexity of the propeller-hull interactions and the ship’s complex motions in waves, accurately predicting the speed-power performance of a self-propelled ship in actual seaway remains a challenge. In the present work, firstly, the resistance and self-propulsion experiments of Aframax model in waves are carried out at FORCE towing tank. Then, the CFD model and method are adopted to investigate the resistance and thrust under the conditions of regular and irregular waves in a three-dimensional numerical wave tank created by commercial software Star-CCM+. Therein, Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations and k-e turbulent models were used for modeling the turbulent flow, and volume of fluid (VOF) method was applied to track the location and shape of transit-free surface. Based on the numerical method, the added resistance caused by regular waves was firstly investigated, and the self-propulsion of propeller in irregular waves was further performed. Furthermore, in order to simulate the rotation of the propeller, both the sliding mesh technique and overset mesh technique were discussed. Finally, compared with the experimental data, the numerical solutions have been validated, which shows potential to provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the self-propulsion performance of Aframax tanker in waves.